Exposition of Romans 13-16, Exposition of Romans · Chapter 3 · Verse 25-27
VERSE 25. But now I goe vntounto Hieruſalem to minister vntounto the Saints. 26. For it hath pleaſed them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certaine contribution for the poore Saints which are in Hieruſalem. 27. It hath pleaſed them verily, and their debters they are: For if the Gentiles hauehave been made pertakers of their ſpirituall things, their duty is alſo to minister vntounto them in carnall things.
IN theſe verſes, and ſo to the end of this Chapter, hee excuſeth his not comming to the Romanes Now.
Here are the Excuſe, and the Amplification to bee conſidered.
The Excuſe in the 25. verſe. The Amplification in the reſt, which hath three parts: Firſt, An Expoſition, verſ. 26.27. Secondly, a Promiſe, verſ. 28.29. Thirdly, a Petition to the Romanes, verſe 30. to the end.
The Excuſe is brought in by a Prolepſis: In the 23. verſe he ſpake of a great and long deſire he had to come to Rome. Hence they might ſay: If Paul, you hauehave ſo great a deſire, why then doe you not inſtantly come vntounto vsus. For anſwer hereunto he ſhewes that he is vponupon weighty affaires and not to be diſpenced with, bound for Hieruſalem, verſ. 25. where we hauehave his iourney, and the end of it, to miniſter to the Saints.
I go to Hieruſalem: He is now taking his iourney, which admitteth of no delay.
To miniſter to the Saints: That is, to the Chriſtian Iewes there: and becauſe there are diuerſities of miniſtrations; he declareth it by expoſition in the 26. and 27. verſes, as namely, that it is about a contribution or almes, which he is to conuey and deliuer to them from the Greeke Churches. For though his office was principally to preach, and not to ſerue tables, yet at this time there was a neceſſity of mercy aboue ſacrifice; and it was enioyned Paul ſpecially by a decree of the Church, Galath. 2.10. and therefore hee could not neglect it without much imputation.
Contribution: See the expoſition of this word, chap. 12. v. 13.
Concerning this Contribution, there are two things: Firſt, the Perſons: Secondly, the Manner of it.
The Perſons are two fold, Giuing, Receiuing.
The Perſons giuing, Thoſe of Macedonia and Achaia, two famous Countries in Greece. The Macedonians a poorer people; the Achaians, of whom were the Corinthians, very rich, as may appeare, 2. Cor. 8. and 9. Chap.
The perſons receiuing, the poore Chriſtian Iewes, deſcribed by their condition, and by the place of their habitation.
Their Condition, outward and inward. The outward, they are poore: The inward, they are Saints. The place of their habitation, Hieruſalem.
Poore: For through a hatred vntounto Chriſt, the Iewes vnbeleeuing, grieuouſly perſecuted all them which turned Chriſtians, ſpoiling them of their goods, as may appeare, Heb. 10.34. 1 Theſſ. 2.14. And indeed the Apoſtles and Chriſtians, in no place, met with more grieuous aduerſaries then the Iewes.
The manner of giuing to them: It pleaſed the Macedonians, by which word is noted, that ſuch contribution was not extorted from them, but proceeded from a willing and readie minde, taking delight in the ſame.
This manner is repeated in the ſeuen and twentieth verſe, with a correction: It pleaſed them, and their debters they are. Though the almes was voluntary, yet a debt alſo, though almes and debt ſeeme to be oppoſite.
But a debt by a double law, the law of Charity, Rom. 13.8. and the law of Gratitude: and this is prooued from a rule of Equitie.
For that which a man receiueth, he oweth requitall.
But the Gentiles hauehave receiued the ſpirituall things of the Iewes.
Therefore their dutie is to miniſter vntounto them in their carnall things.
Saluation is of the Iewes, ſaid our Sauiour, John 4.22.and theirs were the Promiſes and the Couenant, &c. and wee are enriched with the Goſpell, and the bleſſing of it, by them: and whereas before we were as dogges, not admitted to the crummes vnderunder the table, yet now we ſit downe with Abraham, Iſaak and Iacob, in the kingdome of heauen.
From hence it was, that all the Churches of the Gentiles vntill the time of Theodoſius, ſent collection to the Church of the Iewes at Hieruſalem, as to their Mother Church, vt totius orbis fouerentur ministerijs, as ſaid Hierom, reproouing Vigilantius for finding fault therewith.
Now it is to be obſerued that Saint Paul hath ſet a double accent vponupon the Macedonians and Achaians, the one of commendation, the other of obligation, that he might cloſely admoniſh, or prepare the Romanes thereunto.
We muſt contribute to the reliefe of the poore Saints, Doctr. Rom. 12.13. Diſtributing to the neceſſity of Saints, Gal. 6.10. 1 Ioh. 3.17.
The Office to ouerſee for the poore, Ʋſe 1 is honorable; The chiefeſt Apoſtles, yea the Angels hauehave borne it, miniſtring to Eliah, 1. King. 19. let no man deſpiſe it, but willingly vndergoe it, and faithfully diſcharge it, hauing a principall regard to the religious poore, of which ſee more vponupon the twelfth Chapter, and thirteeth verſe.
Diſtance of place diſchargeth not from contribution, Ʋſe 2 if there be an vnity of faith. If occaſion be offered relieue the poore Saints beyond the Seas, and among all, a Chriſtian Iew in his want.
Be ready to diſtribute, Ʋſe 3 and willing to communicate: 1 Tim. 6.18. Remember the Macedonians, whoſe deepe pouerty abounded in liberality; and who beyond their power were willing of themſelues intreating that they might be admitted into the fellowſhip of the miniſtration to the poore Saints at Hieruſalem.1. Cor. 8.1.2. & ſeq.
They intreated as if they had beene to receiue, not to beſtow an almes.
Beware thou withdraw not thy ſelfe when thou ſhouldſt be called to giuegive almes: and account him to hauehave done thee a great good turne, who calleth thee to releeue a poore Saint: Make much of ſuch opportunities; to ſhew thy charity, thy faith, to adorne thy profeſſion, and to allure to the liking of the Goſpell: Thus many in ancient time were won to the faith: Hebr. 13.16.and with ſuch ſacrifices God is pleaſed, and at the day of Iudgement Chriſt will reward for this. Mat. 25.
He that turnes away his face from a poore Saint, may iuſtly feare that God will turne away his face from him; of the which an ancient Father excellently,
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A poore man comes, ſaith he; if he goe away and not obtaine; O Chriſt, I feare leſt needing thy hand, I depart ſuccourleſſe by my owne law. For he with giueth not, let him not hope.
How prodigall are we in vanity, how niggardly in charity! ſpending waſtfully vponupon our luſts; but not vouchſafing a halfpeny to the poore Saints. Shillings and pounds in harlotry and drunkenneſſe, &c. and a few pence grudged to the poore members of Ieſus Chriſt, what hope can ſuch hauehave?
Here is a rule. Ʋſe 4 It is our duty to miniſter vntounto them in our carnall things, from whom we receiue ſpirituall.
Hence Paul proues the maintenance of miniſters. 1 Cor. 9.10. Gal. 6.6.
By this rule wee ought to beare a pious affection to that Church in which and by whoſe miniſtery wee are regenerated: whereby the vnnaturall practice of the Browniſts in reuiling their mother the Church of England it to bee reproued.
By this rule we diſcerne that ſpirituall things are more excellent then carnall. If wee ſow vntounto you ſpirituall things, 1 Cor. 9.10.is it a great matter if we reape your carnall things, ſaith Paul? as if gold and ſiluer, were too baſe to enter into compariſon with the Gospell and the bleſſing thereof.
By this rule wee are bound to our Benefactors: moſt to God from whom we receiue all good things carnall and ſpirituall: let vsus no wayes offend him, but performe all true and thankfull obedience. Amen.