SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:24
cuando partiere para Espaa, ir a vosotros; porque espero que pasando os ver, y que ser llevado de vosotros all, si empero antes hubiere gozado de vosotros.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 15:24
Verse 24. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain] Where it is very likely the Gospel had not yet been planted; though legendary tales inform us that St. James had planted the Gospel there long before this time, and had founded many bishoprics! But this is as unfounded as it is ridiculous and absurd; for nothing like what is now termed a bishopric, nor even a parish, was founded for many years after this. An itinerant preacher, might, with more propriety, say travelling circuits were formed, rather than bishoprics. Whether the apostle ever fulfilled his design of going to Spain is unknown; but there is no evidence whatever that he did, and the presumption is that he did not undertake this voyage. Antiquity affords no proof that he fulfilled his intention. I will come to you] eleuso maiprov umav. These words are wanting in almost every MS. of note, and in the Syriac of Erpen, Coptic, Vulgate, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Itala. If the first clause of this verse be read in connection with the latter clause of the preceding, it will fully appear that this rejected clause is useless. Having a great desire, these many years to come unto you whensoever I take my journey into Spain: for I trust to see you in my journey, &c.
Somewhat filled with your company.] The word emplhsqw, which we translate filled, would be better rendered gratified; for emplhsqhnai signifies to be satisfied, to be gratified, and to enjoy. AELIAN., Hist. Anim., lib. v., c. 21, speaking of the peacock spreading out his beautiful plumage, says: ea gar emplhsqhnai thv qeov ton parestwta? "He readily permits the spectator to gratify himself by viewing him." And MAXIMUS TYRIUS, Dissert. 41, page 413: "That he may behold the heavens, kai emplhsqh lamprou fwtov, and be gratified with the splendour of the light." HOMER uses the word in the same sense:- h d emh oude per uiov eniplhsqhnai akoitiv ofqalmoisin ease. Odyss., lib. xi., ver. 451.
"But my wife never suffered my eyes to be delighted with my son." The apostle, though he had not the honour of having planted the Church at Rome, yet expected much gratification from the visit which he intended to pay them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 24. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain , etc..] Which he had now meditated and resolved upon, being a place, as before observed, where it is very likely the Gospel as yet had not been preached, which made him desirous of going thither; but whether he ever went thither, or not, is not certain; some think he never performed the intended journey; others affirm he did, some time between his two appearances before Nero.
Sepharad, in (Obidiah 1:20), is taken by the Jewish writers for this country; and is by the Targum, Jarchi, and Aben Ezra on that place, called aympsa , Aspamia; a name not greatly different from Hispania, by which it usually goes among the Greeks and Latins; but Kimchi calls it aynps , Spania, the very word used in this place, and by us rendered Spain, as it is usually called: it was called Span in the language of the Celtic, who first inhabited it, which signifies a companion; it was formerly called Iberia, from the river Iberus; afterwards Hesperia, from Hesperus, the brother of Atlas; and then Hispalia, from the city Hispalis, or Sevil; and from thence corruptly Hispania; there are some that derive it from spania , from the roughness of some places in it, barren, uncultivated, and uninhabited: it has on the east the Pyrenean mountains, by which it is divided from France, on the west the Atlantic ocean, on the north the Cantabrian, and on the south the Herculean sea, and the straits of Gades: now as the apostle intended a journey into this country; he mentions it, in order to raise their expectations of seeing him; since in his way thither, he would have a fair opportunity of coming to them; yea, he assures them, that whenever he went thither, he would come: I will come to you : it was his real intention, a settled resolution and determination in his mind so to do; but whereas everything of this kind depends not upon the will of man, but upon the will and providence of God, and so many unforeseen things fall out which prevent the fulfilling of human purposes, therefore he adds, for I trust , or hope to see you in my journey : he could not be certain that he should see them, but he hoped he should, for nothing was more desirable to him; his wish was not to see their emperor, their senate, or their famous city, but them, the church of Christ there; and a beautiful and delightful sight it is, to see a church of Christ in Gospel order, walking together in the faith and fellowship, and ordinances of it, and in peace one with another: and to be brought on my way thitherward by you ; he not only hoped to see them, but that he should have the company of some of them along with him, in his way to Spain; from whose conversation he might expect much spiritual pleasure and refreshment; and by whom he might be directed in his way, as well as supplied with all necessaries for his journey; in which sense the phrase of bringing on in the way, is sometimes used; (see Titus 3:13 3 John 1:6); though before he should depart from them, he hoped to have abundance of satisfaction in his conversation with them together as a church: if first I be somewhat , or in part, filled with your company ; or with you, meaning that before he should set forward from them to Spain, that he should be greatly delighted with beholding their order, and the steadfastness of their faith, hearing their sweet experiences, and observing their holy life and conversation, and their peace and concord among themselves; not that he expected entire satisfaction, a satiety of pleasure, fulness of joy, which are only to be had in the presence of God, and communion with angels and glorified saints; though perhaps he might expect more than he had, for at his first answer before Nero, all these Romans forsook him and fled; saints are often disappointed in their raised expectations of what they shall enjoy in each other's company.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-29 - The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, an would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. I concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We must not tak it ill if our friends prefer work which is pleasing to God, befor visits and compliments, which may please us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especiall that blessed work, the conversion of souls. Christian society is heaven upon earth, an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ a the great day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our communion with Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The apostle was going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of charity. God loves a cheerful giver Every thing that passes between Christians should be a proof an instance of the union they have in Jesus Christ. The Gentiles receive the gospel of salvation from the Jews; therefore were bound to ministe to them in what was needed for the body. Concerning what he expecte from them he speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from God he speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from man, no too much from God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to have the gospel with the fulness of its blessings! What wonderful and happ effects does it produce, when attended with the power of the Spirit!
Greek Textus Receptus
ως 5613 ADV εαν 1437 COND πορευωμαι 4198 5741 V-PNS-1S εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF σπανιαν 4681 N-ASF ελευσομαι 2064 5695 V-FDI-1S προς 4314 PREP υμας 5209 P-2AP ελπιζω 1679 5719 V-PAI-1S γαρ 1063 CONJ διαπορευομενος 1279 5740 V-PNP-NSM θεασασθαι 2300 5664 V-ADN υμας 5209 P-2AP και 2532 CONJ υφ 5259 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP προπεμφθηναι 4311 5683 V-APN εκει 1563 ADV εαν 1437 COND υμων 5216 P-2GP πρωτον 4412 ADV απο 575 PREP μερους 3313 N-GSN εμπλησθω 1705 5686 V-APS-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
24. Spain. The usual Greek name is Iberia. Paul adopts a modification of the Roman name, Hispania.In my journey (diaporeuomenov). Lit., journeying through, or as I pass through.
To be brought on my way (propemfqhnai). Escorted. See on Acts xv. 3. Filled (emplhsqw). Lit., filled full: satiated. Compare Acts xiv. 17; Luke i. 53. Rev., satisfied.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
15:24 {Whensoever I go} (hws an poreu"mai). Indefinite temporal clause with hws an and the present middle subjunctive (cf. #1Co 11:34; Php 2:23 with aorist subjunctive). {Into Spain} (eis ten spanian). It was a Roman province with many Jews in it. The Greek name was Iberia, the Latin _Hispania_. The Textus Receptus adds here eleusomai pros humas (I shall come to you), but it is not in Aleph A B C D and is not genuine. Without it we have a parenthesis (or anacoluthon) through the rest of verse #24. {In my journey} (diaporeuomenos). Present middle participle, "passing through." Paul planned only a brief stay in Rome since a strong church already existed there. {To be brought on my way thitherward} (propemphthnai ekei). "To be sent forward there." First aorist passive infinitive of propempw, common word for escorting one on a journey (#1Co 16:6,11; 2Co 1:16; Tit 3:13; 2Jo 1:6). {If first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company} (ean humwn protwn apo merous emplsth"). Condition of third class with ean and first aorist passive subjunctive of empimplemi, old verb, to fill up, to satisfy, to take one's fill. See #Lu 6:25. Literally, "if I first in part be filled with you" (get my fill of you). delicate compliment for the Roman church.
