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It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We should be a blessing to those who have blessed us.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cmaterial<\/span>\u201d is the Greek word sarkikos<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cthat which pertains to flesh and blood.\u201d It refers to material things like food, clothing, and money.<\/p>\n Paul starts off this verse with \u201cIt pleased them indeed<\/span>.\u201d The first thing we need to ask is, \u201cIt pleased whom?\u201d 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 \u201cgenerally\u201d 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 \u201cthem\u201d and \u201cthey,\u201d therefore, are referring to the same group of people, those of Macedonia and Achaia.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The next question that we have to ask ourselves then is, \u201cWhy were the Gentile Christians indebted to the Jewish Christians?\u201d Remember what Paul said back in the third chapter of Romans?<\/p>\n What advantage then has the Jew, or what is<\/em> <\/span>the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.<\/span> (Romans 3:1-2<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n The Jews were the ones to whom God gave the oracles. The Greek word logia<\/em><\/span>, which is translated \u201coracles<\/span>\u201d means \u201cutterances.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 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?<\/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
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