Romans 15:27
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They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also--"they owe it also" to minister unto them in carnal things--(Compare Co1 9:11; Gal 6:6; and see Luk 7:4; Act 10:2).
Open source ↗The apostle, in this chapter, continues the discourse of the former, concerning mutual forbearance in indifferent things; and so draws towards a conclusion of the epistle. Where such differences of apprehension, and consequently distances of affection, are among Christians, there is need of precept upon precept, line upon line, to allay the heat, and to beget a better temper. The apostle, being desirous to drive the nail home, as a nail in a sure place, follows his blow, unwilling to leave the subject till he has some hopes of prevailing, to which end he orders the cause before them and fills his mouth with the most pressing arguments. We may observe, in this chapter, I. His precepts to them. II. His prayers for them. III. His apology for writing to them. IV. His account of himself and his own affairs. V. His declaration of his purpose to come and see them. VI. His desire of a share in their prayers.
Open source ↗15:27 they owe a real debt: Gentile Christians owe their spiritual existence to God’s work among the Israelites (see 11:17-24).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you?
I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,