Romans 15:24
Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
Romans 15:24
Paul shows intentional travel planning: he desires to come to Rome on his way to Spain, hoping to be helped and refreshed by the Roman believers. The logistics here—journeys, companionship, and being sent on his way—reveal the collaborative nature of mission: traveling with support, spiritual encouragement, and practical help. The phrase “if first I be somewhat filled with your company” signals that mutual edification and fellowship are prerequisites to wider mission. He expects the church in Rome to be a conduit of hospitality and encouragement as he continues to span international routes. The verse sits at a junction in his argument about generosity toward Jerusalem and his broader apostolic mission.
Theological themes include interchurch partnership, mutual blessing, and the missional ecosystem Christians inhabit. Paul’s plan to pass through Rome on his way to Spain reinforces the idea that churches exist to encourage, fund, and collaborate with one another. It highlights the relational dimension of the gospel: the gospel binds believers across regions, and ordinary hospitality becomes a conduit for extraordinary mission.
- If you are part of a sending church, consider how you can support a missionary’s journey with travel arrangements, lodging, and prayer.
- When visiting another church, come with a mindset of encouragement and gratitude; value companionship as a ministry.
- If you dream of starting something new (e.g., a missions trip), build a network of partners who can join you on the journey, both spiritually and logistically.
- Embrace hospitality as a spiritual discipline: open your home, share meals, and create space for fellowship that fuels mission.
Cross-References: Acts 28:30-31; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Philemon 1:22; Romans 12:13; Romans 16:3-4