For it pleased them, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
Truth to Learn
We should be a blessing to those who have blessed us.
Behind the Words
The word translated “material” is the Greek word sarkikos, which means “that which pertains to flesh and blood.” It refers to material things like food, clothing, and money.
Meaning Explained
Paul starts off this verse with “For it pleased them.” The first thing we need to ask is, “It pleased whom?” Does Paul mean that it pleased the ones receiving the gifts or that it pleased the ones giving the gifts? The basic rule of grammar is that if there is a pronoun (them) that could apply to more than one subject, it generally refers to the subject most immediately preceding the pronoun (the saints in Jerusalem). Notice we said “generally” because there are exceptions of which this is one. By looking at the second half of this verse we see that Paul is saying that those of Macedonia and Achaia are debtors to the poor saints in Jerusalem. By context “them” and “they,” therefore, are referring to the same group of people, those of Macedonia and Achaia.
Paul is telling the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, and us, that the Gentile Christians in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to give the gifts of money to the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. And to Paul it is obvious why they should be pleased to give these gifts, because they (the Gentile Christians) are indebted to the Jewish Christians.
The next question that we have to ask ourselves then is, “Why were the Gentile Christians indebted to the Jewish Christians?” Remember what Paul said back in the third chapter of Romans?
What superiority then has the Jew, or what is the advantage of circumcision? Much in every way! Primarily, because the oracles of God were entrusted to them. (Romans 3:1-2)
The Jews were the ones to whom God gave the oracles. The Greek word logia, which is translated “oracles” means “utterances.” In other words, the Jews are the ones who originally received the words of revelation concerning who God is and what He expects from man.
Were it not for the early converts to Christianity, who were Jews, being scattered from Jerusalem, the Gentiles would not have received the message of salvation through faith. And consider this: if Saul (Paul) and others like him had not persecuted the early converts to Christianity, they likely would not have been dispersed after the martyrdom of Stephen. Now we can understand better why Paul felt compelled to spread the gospel after his own conversion since he was one of their fiercest persecutors before he himself got saved.
If the Gentile converts have received spiritual gifts and blessings from the converted Jews, it is only right that they share in their material things with the Jewish converts.
Application
Think for a moment about the people who have provided you with the greatest spiritual blessings in your life. Take a moment to think about who they are and how they have blessed you. You, indeed, are indebted to them! Have you returned the favor by blessing them or other Christians in need?
In God's service, for His glory,
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