But now I go unto Jerusalem— He means (as appears from Romans 15:26-27.) to carry the money which he had collected among the Gentile Christians in Macedonia and Achaia, for the relief of the poor Christians at Jerusalem. This was an affair which lay near his heart, and about which he had taken much pains. See 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:9 : His design in the business is pretty evident from 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 where he says, The administration of this service nor only supplieth the wants of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. While by the experience of this ministration, they [the Jews] glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men. The Jews were generally treated as objects of contempt and insult throughout the Roman empire. The Apostle was in hopes that this liberal contribution, sent by the Gentile Christians converted by St. Paul's ministry, would engage the affections of the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem, on their part much prejudiced against the reception of the Gentiles into the church and covenant of God, without submitting to their law. Most gladly would he have established asolid coalition between the Jewish and Gentile converts; being sensible that it was of great importance to the spreading of the Gospel. And this was one laudable device to accomplish the good end; namely, to procure a handsome present from the Gentiles to the poor saints at Jerusalem; which was a probable expedient to conciliate their affection and esteem, by affording them a pleasing taste of the good fruitsof St. Paul's ministry, and giving them reason to believe, that their nation would be regarded and honoured in proportion as the Gospel spread in the world. I make no doubt, that this is an instance of St. Paul's zeal and prudent endeavours to establish a good harmony between Christian Jews and Gentiles; and this shews, why he so earnestly requests the prayers of the Christians at Rome, that his service, which he had for Jerusalem, might be accepted of the saints, Romans 15:31-32. It is no objection to this, that St.
James, Peter, and John, had desired St. Paul to remember the poor, or to make a collection among the Gentile converts for the poor brethren at Jerusalem, Galatians 2:10 for he there tells us, that it was what he had intended to do, before they proposed it: and probably he first mentioned it to the Apostles of the circumcision.