Romans 15:29

And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(29) I shall come in the fulness.—I shall bring with me, come furnished with, the fulness of the blessing of Christ. The words “of the gospel” should be omitted. By “the fulness of the blessing of Christ” the Apostle means the full or abundant measure of those spiritual blessings which he, as the Minister and Apostle of Christ, was commissioned to impart to them.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:22-29 The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is pleasing to God, before visits and compliments, which may please us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the conversion of souls. Christian society is a heaven upon earth, an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ at the great day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our communion with Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The apostle was going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of charity. God loves a cheerful giver. Every thing that passes between Christians should be a proof and instance of the union they have in Jesus Christ. The Gentiles received the gospel of salvation from the Jews; therefore were bound to minister to them in what was needed for the body. Concerning what he expected from them he speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from God he speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to have the gospel with the fulness of its blessings! What wonderful and happy effects does it produce, when attended with the power of the Spirit!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I am sure - Greek, I know; expressing the fullest confidence, a confidence that was greatly confirmed by the success of his labors elsewhere.

In the fulness of the blessings ... - This is a Hebrew mode of expression, where one noun performs the purpose of an adjective, and means "with a full or abundant blessing." This confidence he, expressed in other language in Romans 1:11-12; see the notes.

Of the gospel of Christ - Which the gospel of Christ is suited to impart. Thus, every minister of the gospel should wish to go. This should be his everburning desire in preaching. Paul went to Rome; but he went in bonds; Acts 27; 28. But though he went in this manner, he was permitted there to preach the gospel for at least two years, nor can we doubt that his ministry was attended with the anticipated success; Acts 28:30-31. God may disappoint us in regard to the "mode" in which we purpose to do good; but if we really desire it, he will enable us to do it in "his own way." It "may" be better to preach the gospel in "bonds" than at liberty; it "is" better to do it even in a prison, than not at all. Bunyan wrote the Pilgrim's Progress to amuse his heavy hours during a twelve years' cruel imprisonment. If he had been at liberty, he probably would not have written it at all. The great desire of his heart was accomplished, but a "prison" was the place in which to do it. Paul preached; but preached in chains.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29. And I am sure—"I know"

that … I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ—Such, beyond all doubts, is the true reading, the words "of the gospel" being in hardly any manuscripts of antiquity and authority. Nor was the apostle mistaken in this confidence, though his visit to Rome was in very different circumstances from what he expected. See Ac 28:16-31.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

i.e. As some expound it, I shall find you furnished with all spiritual and gospel blessings: this sense agrees with Romans 15:14. But others rather think, that he speaks of what he should bring with him, and not of what he should find there: therefore it may better be expounded by Romans 1:11,12. He assures himself he should impart unto them much knowledge, grace, and comfort; that he should enrich and fill them with all

the blessings of the gospel of Christ.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And I am sure when I come to you,.... He intended to go to Spain; he was not sure he should reach thither; but he was positive in it he should come to Rome. It had been much and long upon his mind; and under an impress of the Spirit of God upon him, he had signified some time before this, that after he had been at Jerusalem, he "must see, Rome also", Acts 19:21, and it was afterwards more expressly told him by the Lord, that as he had testified of him at Jerusalem, he should bear witness at Rome also, Acts 23:11, and therefore he was fully assured he should come to Rome, and was as confident of the manner of his coming thither.

I shall come in, or "with"

the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ; with the Gospel, the good news of salvation by Christ; and which must make him a welcome person to every sensible soul wherever he came; to this he was chosen, separated, and called; for this he was abundantly qualified; this was committed to his trust, and which he carried with him wherever he went: and he was not ashamed of it, and was ready to preach it even at Rome also. With "the Gospel of Christ"; not his own, or another's, or any man's, but Christ's, which he had by the revelation of Christ; of which Christ is the sum and substance, and which Christ himself preached; "with the blessing of the Gospel of Christ". Some by "blessing" understand a liberal contribution, which he trusted he should make at Rome, for the poor saints at Jerusalem; believing that their hearts would be opened, under the preaching of the Gospel, to give freely to them, and that this would be a blessing that would attend it: but rather he means, either the blessed gifts he had, qualifying him for preaching the Gospel, with which he should come and deliver it among them, and which would attend it with success; such as boldness of spirit, freedom of speech, enlarged knowledge, mighty signs and wonders, and the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power: or the blessed effects it would have on them, in establishing them in the present truths; in further enlightening and instructing their minds; in edifying, quickening, and comforting them; and in nourishing up with the words of faith and sound doctrine, unto eternal life: or the blessings of grace exhibited and set forth in the Gospel; such as justification and forgiveness of sins, peace and reconciliation, salvation and eternal life. Nay, he believed he should come in, or with the "fulness" of all this; meaning, either that he believed he should find them full of the Gospel, and the fruits of it; or rather that he should come full fraught with it, and fully preach it to them, and keep back thing that would be profitable. There is a fulness in the Gospel; it is full of the deep things of God, which the Spirit searches and reveals, 1 Corinthians 2:10; it is full of the doctrines of grace and truth, which Christ himself is said to be full of, John 1:14, it is full of exceeding great and precious promises transcribed from Christ, and out of the covenant of grace; and it is full of a variety of food, of milk for babes, Hebrews 5:13, and meat for strong persons, Hebrews 5:14. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, read only, "with the fulness of the blessing of Christ"; and so the Ethiopic version.

Geneva Study Bible

{12} And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

(12) He promises them through the blessing of God, not to come empty to them: and requiring of them the duty of prayers, he shows what thing we ought mainly to rest upon in all difficulties and adversities.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Romans 15:29. Paul is convinced that his advent to the Romans will not be without rich blessing from Christ; he will bring with him a fulness (copia, see on Ephesians 3:19) of Christ’s blessing. On the matter itself, comp. Romans 1:11.

ἐν is to be explained: furnished with. See Bernhardy, p. 209, and on 1 Corinthians 4:21. Quite contrary to the words, Chrysostom. Oecumenius, Calvin, and others: “Scio me … vos inventurum repletos omnibus donis spiritualibus,” Estius.

ἐρχόμενος with the same verb ἐλεύσομαι; see Kühner, ii. 2, p. 656, and ad Xen. Mem. v. 2. 21. Comp. on 1 Corinthians 2:1; Php 2:2.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Romans 15:29. For ἐρχόμενος … ἐλεύσομαι cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1. ἐν πληρώματι εὐλογίας Χριστοῦ. Paul’s desire was to impart to the Romans χάρισμά τι πνευματικόν (Romans 1:2), and he is sure it will be satisfied to the full. When he comes he will bring blessing from Christ to which nothing will be lacking. On πλήρωμα see Romans 11:12.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

29. And I am sure] Lit. But, or now, I know.—This “knowledge” was abundantly justified by the event.

in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ] The words “of the Gospel” must be omitted.—He is sure that he will come attended by the “fulness,” the full range and variety, of “Christ’s benediction;” which would so rest on the visit as to make it in every way happy and helpful both to the Romans and the Apostle.

Bengel's Gnomen

Romans 15:29. Πληρώματι, in the fulness) comp. Romans 15:19. There is a real parallelism in the fulness of the Gospel, both intensive and extensive.[162]—εὐλογίας, of the blessing) which is conspicuous [such fulness of blessing as it is conspicuously seen to possess] both at Jerusalem and Rome.—τοῦ εὐαγγελίου) Some have omitted this word: The cause of the omission is easy to be perceived, viz. from the recurrence of τοῦ.[163]

[162] That is, the internal fulness, and the expansive capabilities of the Gospel externally, have a real correspondence.—ED.

[163] Either S. R. D. Foertschius in Progr. to this passage, or S. R. D. Ernesti in his review of the Program, affirms, that Bengel was satisfied with the omission of this word, see Bibl. th. T. V. p. 474, but this is a mistake. The margin of both editions (where the sign δ had marked an omission instead of a reading less certain) may be compared, s. pl., also the German Version which expresses the words des Evangelii without a parenthesis.—(E. B.)

The τοῦ alluded to by Beng. as recurring refers to Rec. Text τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ, which reading is supported by both Syr. Versions and Vulg. (later MSS.) But ABCD(Λ)G Cod. Amiat. (the oldest MS.) of Vulg. Memph. fg Versions omit the three words.—ED.

Romans 15:29

Vincent's Word Studies

Gospel

Omit, and read blessing of Christ.