SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:27
Porque les pareci bueno, y son deudores a ellos; porque si los gentiles han sido hechos participantes de sus bienes espirituales, deben tambin ellos servirles en los carnales.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 15:27
Verse 27. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers, &c.] It was through and by means of the Jews that the Gentiles were brought to the knowledge of God and the Gospel of Christ. These were the spiritual things which they had received; and the pecuniary contribution was the carnal things which the Gentiles were now returning.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 27. It hath pleased them [verily] , etc..] This is repeated from the former verse, and is designed to point out the spring of this contribution, and the manner in which it was performed: it arose from themselves; it was the pure effect of their good will and pleasure; the first motion was from among themselves; it was their own thought, mind, and will; they were willing of themselves unto it, and begun it of themselves, unasked, and not moved unto it by any other: it was not done by constraint or necessity, but was entirely free; they did not make it for ostentation sake, or to gain the applause of men, but from a principle of love to the poor saints; and which showed itself to be sincere, hearty, and genuine, by deeds, and not bare words: they performed this service with great alacrity and cheerfulness; they gave not sparingly, but largely; it was not a matter of covetousness, but of bounty; and they did it not grudgingly, but cheerfully; they took delight and pleasure in it; their hearts and souls were in it, and yet notwithstanding did but what they ought to do. And their debtors they are ; for being debtors to God for their temporal and spiritual mercies; and to Christ for what he has done for them in redemption, and for what he is to them; and to the Spirit for the influences and operations of his grace upon them, they are debtors to the saints; they are bound to love them; they owe the debt of love to them, as they are in the spiritual relation of the children of God, members of Christ, and brethren one of another; and their paying of this debt to them is, in some sense, reckoned a paying it to the divine persons. Moreover, it was not merely a debt of love which these Gentiles owed, and in this way paid to the believing Jews; but it was a debt of justice and equity; they had received what was of valuable consideration from them, and by their means: Christ himself was of the Jews; hence salvation is said to be of them, ( John 4:22). The writings of the Old Testament were committed to them, and faithfully preserved by them; and from them transmitted to the Gentiles; the apostles were all Jews, under whose ministry they were enlightened, converted, and brought to the knowledge of Christ, and salvation by him; the Gospel of the grace of God came out from among them; it was first preached in Judea, and at Jerusalem; and from thence was carried and spread in the Gentile world; yea, it looks very likely, and is not at all unreasonable to suppose, that the charge of carrying and spreading the Gospel among the Gentiles was at first defrayed by the believing Jews, and out of that common stock and fund which was at Jerusalem; for it was not proper that the apostles, at their first setting out, should take anything of the Gentiles, lest they should be thought to be mercenary persons, who only sought their own worldly advantage: hence the apostle argues from the greater to the lesser, for if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things : the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, which are spiritual things; contain and make known spiritual blessings; impart spiritual gifts; in which the Spirit of God is greatly concerned, he is the author of them; he leads men into them; qualifies them to preach them unto others; blesses and succeeds them to the conversion; comfort, and edification of souls; and by means of which he himself is received as a Spirit of illumination, sanctification, and faith: and which doctrines also relate to the spiritual and eternal welfare of the souls and spirits of men; hereby they are enlightened, quickened, comforted, and nourished up unto eternal life: wherefore, since this is the case, and these the favours the Gentiles enjoyed through the Jews, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things ; in outward and temporal things; in things pertaining to the flesh; or outward man, for the clothing and nourishment of the body. This he said to stir up the Romans, who were Gentiles also, and under the same obligations to make a contribution for them likewise.
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
ευδοκησαν 2106 5656 V-AAI-3P γαρ 1063 CONJ και 2532 CONJ οφειλεται 3781 N-NPM αυτων 846 P-GPM εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P ει 1487 COND γαρ 1063 CONJ τοις 3588 T-DPN πνευματικοις 4152 A-DPN αυτων 846 P-GPM εκοινωνησαν 2841 5656 V-AAI-3P τα 3588 T-NPN εθνη 1484 N-NPN οφειλουσιν 3784 5719 V-PAI-3P και 2532 CONJ εν 1722 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPN σαρκικοις 4559 A-DPN λειτουργησαι 3008 5658 V-AAN αυτοις 846 P-DPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
27. To minister (leitourghsai). See on ch. xiii. 6. By using this word for priestly service, Paul puts the ministry of almsgiving on the footing of a sacrificial service. It expresses the worship of giving.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
15:27 {Their debtors} (opheiletai autwn). Objective genitive: the Gentiles are debtors to the Jews. See the word ofeiletes in #1:14; 8:12. {For if} (ei gar). Condition of the first class, assumed as true, first aorist active indicative (ekoin"nsan, from koinwnew, to share) with associative instrumental case (pneumatikois, spiritual things). {To minister unto} (leitourgsai, first aorist active infinitive of leitourgew with dative case autois, to them), but here certainly with no "sacerdotal" functions (cf. verse #16). {In carnal things} (en tois sarkikois). Things which belong to the natural life of the flesh (sarx), not the sinful aspects of the flesh at all.
