Romans 15:24: Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
God had a special plan for Paul to follow: he was not to preach where any other apostle had ministered. (This is one evidence that Peter had not founded the churches at Rome, or had been to Rome; for this would have prevented Paul from going there.) “From Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum” (Rom. 15:19) covers about 1,400 miles! When you consider the slowness of travel and the dangers involved (2 Cor. 11:26–27), you can appreciate the tremendous achievement of Paul’s missionary ministry. While it is not wrong to enter into another man’s labors (John 4:38), it is also good to have a pioneer ministry and take the Gospel to new territory. Paul cited Isaiah 52:15 as the divine approval for this kind of ministry. Paul’s desire for many years had been to visit Rome and then move on to Spain, but there is no record that he ever did. Tradition says that he did go to Spain, and possibly to Britain, after he was released, but we do not know for certain. 1
Application
- When you plan your vacation, do you also plan for spiritual opportunities?
- How many people in your life are unaware that you’re a follower of Christ? I have officiated memorial services where several guest were surprised to hear of all the wonderful Christian testimonies, but never knew them until the memorial service.
Prayer
Lord, help me “buy up” every opportunity to speak about You, before I die.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
