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whenever I journey to Spain, I shall 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 <\/strong><\/span>company<\/em><\/strong><\/span> for a while.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Paul wanted to visit the Roman Christians on his way to Spain.<\/p>\n The first occurrence of \u201cjourney<\/span>\u201d in this verse is translated from poreuomai<\/em><\/span>, which is based on the noun poros<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201ca passage way.\u201d Thus, poreuomai<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto travel from one place to another.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee<\/span>\u201d is from theaomai<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto view attentively.\u201d Metaphorically, it refers to a personal visit.<\/p>\n The second occurrence of “journey<\/span>\u201d in this verse is translated from diaporeuomai<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of dia<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthrough\u201d and poreuomai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto travel from one place to another.\u201d Therefore, diaporeuomai<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto travel through.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelped on my way<\/span>\u201d is translated from propemp\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbefore\u201d and pemp\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto send.\u201d Paul expected the Roman Christians to provide him additional resources for his trip from Rome to Spain.<\/p>\n As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n It is interesting to note that Paul\u2019s 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 \u201cFor I hope to see [visit] you on my travel through.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s plan often satisfying the desires that we have. I am reminded of one of the promises in Psalms:<\/p>\n Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.<\/span> (Psalms 37:4<\/strong><\/span>)<\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Where are your desires today? Are they focused on God, or are they focused on the world? Is your delight in God or things?<\/p>\n That\u2019s something to think about!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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