Romans 15:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"That I may come to you with joy by the will of God." As he said at the beginning, "if somehow by the will of God I may at last succeed in coming to you" (Rom 1:10), so here also he takes refuge in the same will of God. He says: for this reason I hasten and pray to God to be delivered from here, so that I may see you sooner. I wish to see you with pleasure, without suffering any sorrow there. "And that I may be refreshed together with you." See how he again shows that there is no arrogance in him. He did not say, "I shall teach you and instruct you in the faith," but, "I shall be refreshed together with you." But the Apostle himself struggled and fought. How then does he say, "I shall be refreshed together with you"? He says this to please the Romans and dispose them to greater zeal. He makes them sharers in the crowns of victory and shows that they too struggle and labor.

“That by the will of God I may come to you with joy.” He says, “I pray for deliverance from there, so that I may see you quickly and with gladness, without bringing any sorrow upon myself there.” “And be refreshed together with you.” He did not say. “that I may teach you” or “instruct you in the faith,” but “be refreshed.” That is, you will be revived by my teaching, and I will be revived by the increase of your faith. By this expression he shows that both he and they, as strugglers and laborers, need rest.

Since the Apostle’s mind is devoted to the bringing of gifts, he wants the spirit of the Romans also to answer before him according to the judgment of God. Thus, recognizing his love for them, they may with him offer praise to God in one accord. For he became a great blessing to them, since through his ministry many became blessed and glorify God.

He then appoints the time of his arrival in Rome. For many years his preaching labors in countries far from Rome had prevented it. The Apostle now only has to deliver monetary assistance to the Christians of Jerusalem from the brethren of Macedonia and Achaia. “When I have completed this and have faithfully delivered to them this fruit of zeal,” the Apostle says to the Romans, “I shall go by way of you to Spain” (Rom 15:28). Therefore the Apostle asks the Romans for prayers, “that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you” (Rom 15:32).

Since the Apostle's arrival in Jerusalem, and all his intentions in general, could be delayed in their fulfillment independently of the Apostle himself, as indeed happened, he implores the Roman Christians to pray for him. He asks that God grant him to fulfill successfully his ministry for the Christians of Jerusalem. After this, the Apostle expresses a wish for the Romans to have divine peace, of which they had such need because of the disputes that had arisen among them. Chrysostom says: "A great struggle certainly lay before the Apostle, and therefore he asks them to pray for him. He did not say, 'that I may enter the contest,' but, 'that I may be delivered,' as Jesus Christ commanded: 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation' (Mt 26:41).

"That I may come with joy." Either he makes the joy depend on deliverance from opponents and on his ministry being acceptable to the saints, in this sense: "If I am delivered from those who oppose me, and if my ministry is acceptable, then I shall come to you in joy and with a good disposition of spirit" (Oecumenius). Then nothing will remain behind me whose memory would burden me and bring sorrow upon the heart. Deliverance from troubles is joyful in itself. Yet during their assault and during their passing, occasions are always possible, whether from enemies or even from friends, that inflict wounds on the heart not healed even by deliverance. If the ministry were not received as Paul desired and expected, this would not be some accidental unpleasantness, but a direct and very deep one.