Romans 15:32

Rom 15:32. Ἐν χαρᾷ ἔλθω, that I may come to you with joy) I may come, has respect to the former part of Rom 15:31, and, with joy, to the latter.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Rom_15:32-33. Ἵνα] Aim of Rom_15:31, and so final aim of συναγωνίσασθαι κ.τ.λ., Rom_15:30. Comp. Gal_4:5.

ἐν χαρᾷ] in joyfulness.[32] But as a prisoner he came to Rome, whither the will of God (διὰ θελήμ. Θεοῦ) led him, nevertheless, otherwise than it had been his desire (comp. Rom_1:10).

συναναπαύσωμαι] refresh myself with you, namely, through the mutual communication of faith, of inward experiences, of love, of hope, etc. Comp. συμπαρακληθῆναι, Rom_1:12.

In the closing wish, Rom_15:33, the designation of God as Ὁ ΘΕῸς Τῆς ΕἸΡΉΝΗς, the God who brings about peace, was the more naturally suggested, as the forebodings of the opposite of ΕἸΡΉΝΗ which he was going to encounter had just been before the apostles mind. Hence we have neither to assume a reference to the differences in Rom_14:1 ff. (Grotius and others), nor to take ΕἸΡΉΝΗ of the peace of reconciliation, Rom_5:1 (Philippi), or in the wide sense of salus (Fritzsche). Comp. rather 1Co_14:33; 2Co_13:11; Php_4:9; Rom_16:20; 1Th_5:23.

[32] It would even with the reading ἐλθών (see the critical notes), which Hofmann follows, belong to this word, beside which it stands, not to συναναπ. (Hofmann).

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Rom_15:32

That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and that I may with you be refreshed. These words may depend upon the former part of the preceding verse, Pray that I may come; or, upon the latter part, Pray that I may be delivered from the Jews, and my contributions be accepted, so that I may come with joy, etc. By the will of God, i.e. by the permission and favor of God. Instead of Θεοῦ, the MS. B. has Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ; D. E. F. G. the Italic version, read Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ; most editors, however, retain the common text. Paul seemed to look forward to his interview with the Christians at Rome, as a season of relief from conflict and labor. In Jerusalem he was beset by unbelieving Jews, and harassed by Judaizing Christians; in most other places he was burdened with the care of the churches; but at Rome, which he looked upon as a resting place, rather than a field of labor, he hoped to gather strength for the prosecution of his apostolic labors in still more distant lands.

Charles Hodge — Commentary on Romans (1835), First Corinthians (1857), and Ephesians (1856) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That I may come unto you with--"in"

joy by the will of God-- (Act 18:21; Co1 4:19; Co1 16:7; Heb 6:3; Jam 4:15)

and may with you be refreshed--rather, "with you refresh myself," after all his labors and anxieties, and so be refitted for future service.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 32. That I may come unto you with joy] That his apprehensions of ill usage were not groundless, and the danger to which his life was exposed, real, we have already seen in the account given of this visit, Acts 21, 22, 23, and 24; and that he had such intimations from the Holy Spirit himself appears from Ac 20:23; Ac 21:11; Ac 20:38. Should his journey to Jerusalem be prosperous, and his service accepted, so that the converted Jews and Gentiles should come to a better understanding, he hoped to see them at Rome with great joy: and if he got his wishes gratified through their prayers, it would be the full proof that this whole business had been conducted according to the will of God.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(32) The way in which he was received at Jerusalem would make a great difference to the feelings with which the Apostle would arrive in Rome. A favourable reception in Jerusalem would add much to his enjoyment and benefit from intercourse with the Roman Christians.

With you be refreshed.—The Greek word is a rare compound, which is found besides in the LXX. version of Isa_11:6, “the leopard shall lie down with the kid.” The whole phrase (“and may with you be refreshed”) is wanting in the Vatican MS.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

32. that I may come unto you, &c.] His coming might be hindered either by violence from “the unbelieving,” or by revivals of controversy and prejudice among “the saints;” and the latter would also grievously mar the “joy” of his visit to Rome when at length that visit was made.—Here again the event forms a remarkable commentary. St Paul was permitted to come “with joy” (see Act_28:15-16, and cp. Php_1:12; Php_1:18,) to Rome, and to spend there a time of even unusual opportunity and influence; but the unforeseen circumstances of his imprisonment were to lead to this.

“Thus God grants prayer, but in His love

Makes times and ways His own.”

by the will of God] As exercised in answer to your prayer.

may with you be refreshed] Lit. may with you repose; (same word as 1Co_16:18; 2Co_7:13;) a beautiful metaphor for the refreshment of holy intercourse in the midst of toil and care.—Cp. Rom_1:12.—The “repose” would come in “the mutual communication of faith, inner experiences, love, hope, &c.” (Meyer.)

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That I may come unto you with joy,.... The end the apostle had, in desiring them to request the above things at the throne of grace for him, was, that he might come to them, which unless he was delivered from the unbelieving Jews, could not be; and therefore since they had an interest in this matter, he might hope they would be the more importunate in their supplications for him, the he might escape their hands; and seeing also, should the saints there use him in an ungrateful manner, and slight the kindness of the Gentile churches, and his service should not have the desired effect, his coming to them would be with sorrow: wherefore he puts them upon praying for success in this affair, that so when he came among them he should have no uneasiness upon his mind, or, anything of this kind to distress him, and interrupt that pleasure and delight he promised himself in their company and conversation: he adds,

by the will of God: resigning himself, and submitting all things to the sovereign will of God, and the wise disposals of his providence: he knew his deliverance from his enemies must be by, and the success of his services owing to, and his coming to Rome entirely according to, the will of God, and as he should think fit and proper; so he acted himself, and so he taught these believers to have their regard to, and sit down contented with the will of God in all things; to which he subjoins,

and may with you be refreshed; with the presence of God among them, with the Gospel in the fulness and blessing of it with which he should come and with the mutual faith and comfortable experience of him and them, which they should communicate to each other; than all which nothing is more reviving, and refreshing to the spirits of God's people.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Ver. 32. Be refreshed] {See Trapp on "Rom 1:12"} {See Trapp on "2Jn 1:12"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That I may come to you - That I I may not be impeded in my intended journey by opposition in Judea.

With joy - Joy to myself in being permitted to come; and producing joy to you by my presence.

By the will of God - If God will; if God permit. After all his desires, and all their prayers, it still depended on the will of God; and to that the apostle was desirous to submit. This should be the end of our most ardent desires, and this the object of all our prayers, that the will of God should be done; compare Jam 4:14-15. Paul “did” go by the will of God; but he went in bonds.

And be refreshed - Greek, May find “rest” or “solace” with you.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The word in the original signifies to combat with another, to teach us, that to beg the prayers of our friends will be of little assistance to us, if we do not join our prayer also, and labour, on our part, to the best of our power. (Calmet)

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George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God: q.d. This would be a means to make me come unto you with the more comfort, if God will, or if God grant it to our prayers. This condition, if God will, he had before inserted upon this very occasion, Rom 1:10. See the like, 1Co 4:19; Jam 4:13,15. This he did to free himself from the suspicion of inconstancy, in case it should fall out otherwise; as also to show, that always, and in all things, he referred himself to the good pleasure and providence of God.

And may with you be refreshed; i.e. with your company and converse. This hath the same sense with Rom 1:12; see the notes there.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

That I may come to you - This refers to the former, With joy - To the latter, part of the preceding verse.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

joy

See, 2Jn 1:4; 3Jn 1:4; Phm 1:20

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest .

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

32. That I may come, etc. Three things he desires through their prayers: (1) That he may be delivered from his Jewish enemies; (2) be cordially received by his Jewish brethren; (3) come unto them with joy by the will of God. He did come to Rome, submissive to the will of God, but not “in joy,” though no doubt God was with him and “refreshed” him.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

32. συναναπαύσωμαι. Only here in N.T., sc. after the ἀγών. As they shared the struggle, so they should share the relief and rest.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

32.] διὰ θελ. θεοῦ = ἐὰν ὁ κύριος θελήσῃ, 1Co 4:19: otherwise in reff.

[κ. συναν. ὑμ., and may refresh myself together with you;—i.e. ‘that we may mutually refresh ourselves, I after my dangers and deliverance, you after your anxieties for me.’ But the text is in some confusion.]

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

32. But the prayer that the Roman Christians offer for St. Paul will also be a prayer for themselves. If his visit to Jerusalem be successful, and his peace-offering be accepted, he will come to Rome with stronger and deeper Christian joy. ‘After the personal danger and the ecclesiastical crisis of which the personal danger formed a part’ (Hort) he hopes to find rest in a community as yet untroubled by such strife and distraction.

συναναπαύσωμαι, ‘I may rest and refresh my spirit with you.’ Only used here in this sense (but later in Hegesippus ap. Eus. H. E. IV. xxii. 2). Elsewhere it is used of sleeping together (Isa 11:6). The unusual character of the word may have been the cause of its omission in B and the alteration in some Western MSS. (see below).

There are several variations of reading in this verse:

(1) א A C, Boh. Arm., Orig.-lat. read ἐλθὼν … συναναπαύσωμαι with some variation in the position of ἐλθών (after ἵνα א, Boh., Orig.-lat.; after χαρᾷ A C agreeing in this with other authorities). All later MSS. with the Western group read ἔλθω and insert καί before συναναπαύσωμαι. B is alone in having ἔλθω and omitting συναναπαύσωμαι ὑμῖν, but receives support in the reading of some Western authorities; D E read ἀναψύξω μεθʼ ὑμῶν, F G ἀναψύχω μ. ὑ., agreeing with most Latin authorities, refrigerer vobiscum.

(2) For διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ (A C L P R, Vulg. Syrr. Boh. Arm., Orig.-lat. Chrys. Thdrt.), א Ambrst. have δ. θ. Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, D E F G (with d e f g), fuld. Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, B Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ. Lightfoot (On a fresh Revision, &c., pp. 106 ff.) suggests that the original reading was θελήματος used absolutely of the Divine will: cf. Rom 2:18; 1Co 16:12. See also his note on Ign. Eph. § 20, Rom. § 1 (where some authorities add τοῦ Θεοῦ, others domini), Smyrn. §§ 1, 11. Elsewhere in St. Paul the expression always is θέλημα Θεοῦ, except once, Eph 5:17 τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Κυρίου.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

With you be refreshed [συναναπαυσωμαι υμιν] . See on give rest, Mt 11:28.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.