Paul’s Planned Visit to Spain
So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. Romans 15:28,29
(3) the planned visit to Spain (15:28,29)
Paul will only head for Rome and Spain when he has ‘completed this task’ (15:28) of bringing the collection to Jerusalem. He hints at why he must accompany the collection in the phrase ‘I … have made sure that they have received this fruit’ (literally: I have sealed for them this fruit [15:28]). The idea of ‘sealing’ was associated with official affirmation of authenticity (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30 where we are sealed by the Holy Spirit as a proof of God’s work in us). As the apostle to the Gentiles Paul wants to accompany the gift to Jerusalem to authenticate its purpose and the genuineness of the love of the givers. Once this was complete Paul’s desire was to ‘go to Spain and visit you on the way’ (15:28).
Some two years previously Paul told the Corinthians that in keeping with his pioneer missionary policy, he was hoping ‘to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you’ (2 Corinthians 10:16). We will probably never know if he reached and evangelised Spain. Clement of Rome, in his first letter to the Corinthians (usually dated around 96,97AD) noted Paul’s ‘noble renown’ as a herald of the gospel. “To the whole world he taught righteousness, and reaching the limits of the West he bore witness before rulers.” It is possible that Paul was released from prison in Rome where Acts concludes, and that he then resumed his missionary travels, including a visit to Spain before being re-arrested, imprisoned and finally beheaded during Nero’s persecution.
Once the collection is delivered to the church in Jerusalem, Paul knows he will then be free to pursue other plans. Poor Christians in Jerusalem will be somewhat relieved of their crushing burden and a stronger fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers will be secured. He will be able to come to the church in Rome ‘in the full measure of the blessing of Christ’ (15:30). The term ‘full measure’ emphasises the completeness of the blessing that Paul anticipates in Rome. Grammatically the blessing would seem to be one that Paul imparts to the Roman Christians through his ministry. But it would be reasonable to assume that Paul thinks not only of his coming but of the results of his coming. If so he would be thinking of a mutual blessing – Paul ministering to the Roman Christians and the Christians there encouraging and helping him (c.f. the mutuality in 1:12)