whenever I might journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
Truth to Learn
Paul wanted to visit the Roman Christians on his way to Spain.
Behind the Words
The first occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from poreuomai, which is based on the noun poros, meaning “a passage way.” Thus, poreuomai means “to travel from one place to another.”
“See” is from theaomai, which means “to view attentively.” Metaphorically, it refers to a personal visit.
The second occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from diaporeuomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel from one place to another.” Therefore, diaporeuomai means “to travel through.”
“Helped on my way” is translated from propempō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and pempō, meaning “to send.” Paul expected the Roman Christians to provide him additional resources for his trip from Rome to Spain.
Meaning Explained
As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul’s plan was to head into Spain after his return from Jerusalem. This was in keeping with the commission that God had given Paul to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ where people had never heard the name of Christ.
It is interesting to note that Paul’s intent was not to stay in Rome. In fact, even though he loved the saints there and wanted to fellowship with them, he was only intending to visit them during his travel through Rome as part of his greater calling. Note that he says “For I hope to see [visit] you on my travel through.” We know, however, that God had different plans for Paul. Instead of visiting Rome on his way to Spain, he was taken to Rome in order to stand trial before Caesar. This Caesar before whom he was to stand was Nero, a Christian hater who would later blame the huge fire which destroyed much of Rome on the Christians. There is some evidence that Nero actually started the fire himself so that he could build a larger palace for himself.
Once again, let us look to Paul as an example of singleness of purpose in serving God. As much as Paul wanted to go to Rome and spend time with the Christians there, he would not do so except as a necessary stop on his way to fulfilling his call. We can also look to this as an example of God’s plan often satisfying the desires that we have. I am reminded of one of the promises in Psalms:
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)
There is a two-fold promise contained within this verse. If we make God our delight, that is if we seek him as a source of delight in everything that we do, then He will give us the right kind of desires to have. Not only that, but He will satisfy those very desires which He has put in our hearts.
Application
Where are your desires today? Are they focused on God, or are they focused on yourself or on the world? Is your delight in God or things?
That’s something to think about!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved
