Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Separation is one of the evil fruits of sin. God loves union. When He created Adam He bound together the whole family of man in one common link. Hence it is one great end of the gospel to restore this union, which was one leading subject in the Saviour's intercessory prayer (John 17.). Christianity imparts to us the love of one common God and Saviour, and infuses into all one common spirit. St. Paul had imbibed largely of this spirit. He knew what it was to feel communion of spirit even in the absence of all personal knowledge. Such was the case with regard to the Church at Rome (Romans 1:8; Romans 15:22, 29). Note — I. THE SUBJECT OF THE APOSTLE'S CONFIDENCE. To carry the glad tidings of salvation to those who are altogether ignorant of them — this might seem to be one sense in which the minister of Christ might be said to "come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." Nor, perhaps, is this application wholly to be excluded. If he chiefly refers here to his ministry within the Church, he yet might include the blessing of adding to its numbers from without. And certainly the conversion of sinners must be one great blessing for which we are to look as the end of our work. Yet it is of the ministry to the saints that Paul more expressly speaks. Hence, observe that this expectation will be realised — 1. If Christ should become more precious to the flock. "To you that believe He is precious." All you want is treasured up in Him. We come, then, "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ," if the fruit of our ministry be to make Him to dwell in our thoughts and hearts — if it be to set Him always before us in all things, and to do all things in His name. 2. If the Holy Ghost in all His operations should be more honoured by us. We are placed under the dispensation of the Spirit. He is our teacher, sanctifier, preserver; and our progress must be in proportion as we are taught by and made submissive to Him. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"; and then we "shall come in the fulness," etc. 3. If the ordinances of the Church, as such, should be more valued by us, Jesus Christ, as the head of His Church, has provided for its edification. It is by submitting to His ways, and not walking in our own, that we may hope to be built up in holy things. If we come to them not as mere forms, but as filled with the Spirit of the living God, then shall we have just cause to adopt the language of the text. 4. If Christ shall be more magnified by us. This will be in proportion as we are transformed into the image of Christ, and are able to manifest His holy character. To have the mind that was in Christ, to make Him the centre around which we move, is included in "the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." II. THE GROUNDS ON WHICH HE RESTS HIS CONFIDENCE. 1. Not any power or wisdom in himself. These weapons he knew well are too weak to be employed in so great a warfare. 2. Something personal, however, might have had to do with it — e.g., (1) His own conviction of the great truths which he ministered. He could say, "I know whom I have believed," etc. Now, this must unquestionably tend to engender confidence as to the success of the ministry, when we can speak of those things which we know of a truth in our own souls. (2) His consciousness of sincerity, and purity of intention (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:7). It inspires confidence to feel that it is at no partial exhibition of God's truth we aim; no favourite doctrine, no select portions, but the whole of God's revealed counsel so far as He teaches it to us. 3. These, however, after all, may be termed rather auxiliaries of the apostle's confidence than its foundation; the foundation of it is doubtless to be found primarily, in the promised blessing of God, and the presence of Christ in all His ordinances. "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God giveth the increase." (W. Dodsworth, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. |
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