Romans 15:30-33

30: Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
31: that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;
32: so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.
33: Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

*** 

After telling them of his plans to come see them after his visit to Jerusalem, Paul asked for their prayers so he may be “rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea” and that his offering would be acceptable to the saints. It was possible that the Jewish believers might not have been willing to accept the gift from him and the Gentile Christians who sent it.

As for the “disobedient in Judea” Paul was correct in his assumption that there would be trouble for him in Jerusalem. On his way there, he received prophetic words that he would experience trouble there, which of course he already knew. Once there, he was arrested after the Jews from Asia stirred up a mob by saying he preached everywhere against them. The Jews had plans to ambush and kill him, but the plan was leaked, and he was brought to the governor in Caesarea where he stayed in custody for two years under Felix. When the new governor, Festus, came, the Jews in Jerusalem still wanted Paul tried so, being a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar in Rome.

The trip to Rome itself was troublesome, including a shipwreck, but eventually he made it and was able to have visitors in his own quarters and preach the gospel for two years, though still in custody. So, the prayers he asked for were answered—eventually he did make it to Rome and enjoyed their company, despite the long and troubling journey to get there. Paul was executed probably around 64 A.D. under Nero.



The decision to go to Rome and the journey that follows is found in Acts 19-28.

 

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