John Calvin Commentary


John Calvin Commentary
"that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea, and [that] my ministration which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;" — Romans 15:31 (ASV)
That my ministration, etc. Slanderers had so prevailed by their accusations that he even feared that the gift would hardly be acceptable, coming from his hands, which otherwise, in such distress, would have been very timely. And hence appears his wonderful meekness, for he did not cease to labor for those to whom he doubted whether he would be acceptable. This disposition of mind we should imitate, so that we may not cease to do good to those of whose gratitude we are by no means certain. We must also notice that he honors with the name of saints even those by whom he feared he would be suspected and considered unwelcome. He also knew that saints may sometimes be led astray by false slanders into unfavorable opinions, and though he knew that they wronged him, he still did not cease to speak honorably of them.
By adding that I may come to you, he intimates that this prayer would be profitable also to them, and that it concerned them that he should not be killed in Judea. To the same purpose is the expression with joy; for it would be advantageous to the Romans for him to come to them in a cheerful state of mind and free from all grief, so that he might labor among them in a more lively and strenuous manner. And by the word refreshed, or satisfied, he again shows how fully persuaded he was of their brotherly love. The words by the will of God remind us how necessary it is to be diligent in prayer, for God alone directs all our ways by his providence.
And the God of peace, etc. From the universal word all, I conclude that he did not simply pray that God would be present with and favor the Romans in a general sense, but that he would rule and guide every one of them. But the word peace refers, I think, to their circumstances at the time, that God, the author of peace, would keep them all united together.