Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 15:24

"whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)--" — Romans 15:24 (ASV)

Into Spain.—In his eagerness to seek out entirely new regions and to avoid any possibility of crossing the lines of his fellow Apostles, desiring also himself to gather in the “fullness of the Gentiles” as far as was in his power, he had determined to push on even to Spain.

Whether he ever succeeded in carrying out his purpose we cannot say positively, but it is, perhaps, rather more probable than not. A tradition that dates back to the Epistle of Clement of Rome (circa A.D. 95) says that he visited “the extreme limit of the West,” a phrase that seems hardly satisfied by being interpreted simply as Rome.

The author of the Muratorian Fragment (circa A.D. 170) expressly speaks of a journey to Spain, though his language looks as if it might be an inference from this Epistle.

The Acts, it is true, do not carry the Apostle beyond Rome. However, evidence from the Pastoral Epistles and tradition together seems to justify assuming the probability of a later journey or journeys not recorded in that volume. Moreover, the argument from silence, as the book in any case stops short of the Apostle's death, counts for very little.

This is just a case in which it cannot be wrong to accept the balance of the argument as it stands.

At the same time, it is impossible not to feel the grievous void concerning the later years of the life of St. Paul. Few things would be more deeply interesting, or would throw more light on the principles of criticism, than the discovery—if only it were possible—of the merest fragment relating to it.

It is to be feared, however, that there is no reasonable hope of such a discovery ever being made.

I will come to you . . .—These words are missing from the true text and must be supplied. The sentence is left unfinished.

To be brought on my way.—A graphic description of this “bringing upon the way” is given in the account of the departure of St. Paul after his seven days’ sojourn at Tyre (Acts 21:5). (Compare Acts 20:36-38.)

Somewhat filled.—Another characteristic touch. The Apostle will not allow it to be supposed that he could have enough of the society of the Roman Church. He therefore qualifies his expression, “somewhat filled,” or “satisfied,” “satisfied if only in part.”

If first I be somewhat filled is practically equivalent to “when I have been filled.”