And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (15) Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, (16) That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (17) I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. (18) For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, (19) Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (20) Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: (21) But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. (22) For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. (23) But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; (24) Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. (25) But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. (26) For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (27) It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (28) When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (29) And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
I pass over the whole of Paul's account of himself, and of his pro-posed journey, for the sake of shortness. But I detain the Reader at this verse, to make a short observation on the assurance he had, that when he came to the Church, he should come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. It is very sweet and blessed to those who minister in holy things, when from the Lord's impression upon their own souls, they have strong faith, that the Lord will make their labors blessed to others also. Paul knew, that he had an interest in their prayers. And his own heart had been led out in prayer for them. And hence he drew the well-founded conclusion: I know and am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, Reader! depend upon it, the same holds good in every age of the Church. When a faithful minister and servant of Christ, hath his soul frequently led out in prayer for the people, and the people are frequently led out in soul prayer for him; the Lord will bless, and doth bless, both minister and people. And the heart of the poorest minister is encouraged, when he knoweth that he there lives in the affections of the people; and that they are daily going to Court to remember him, and his poor services, to the King. And the thought of this, that the people are at prayer for him, gives a lift to his soul when he hardly knows how to pray for himself. Paul knew that he should come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ when he came to Rome, for his heart was there: and God was his witness, that without ceasing, he was always making mention of them in his prayers, Romans 1:9-10. And the Lord had bid him be of good cheer, for he must bear witness of Him at Rome, Acts 23:11. It is truly blessed to be thus borne up on the wings of faith, and prayer, before the Lord!