Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 15:30

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;" — Romans 15:30 (ASV)

For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Greek, By or through (dia) our Lord Jesus Christ. It means, probably, out of love and regard for him; in order to promote his honor and glory, and to extend his kingdom among people. Paul desired to be delivered from the hands of the Jews, that he might promote the honor of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles.

And for the love of the Spirit, (dia). By the mutual love and sympathy which the Spirit of God produces in the minds of all who are the friends of God. I implore you now to manifest that love by praying earnestly for me.

That ye strive together with me; that is, that you unite with me in earnest prayer.

The word strive denotes intense agony or effort, like that used by wrestlers in the Greek games; and then the agony, or strong effort, a person makes in prayer who earnestly desires to be heard.

The use of the word here denotes Paul's earnest desire that they should make an intense effort in their prayers that he might be delivered.

Christians, though at a distance from each other, may unite their prayers for a common object.

Christians everywhere should wrestle in prayer for the ministers of the gospel, that they may be kept from temptations; and especially for those who are engaged, as the apostle was, in arduous efforts among Gentile peoples, that they may be kept from the many dangers to which they are exposed in their journeys in Gentile lands.