SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:28
Así que, cuando hubiere concluido esto, y les hubiere consignado este fruto, pasar a vosotros a Espaa.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 15:28
Verse 28. When, therefore, I have performed this] Service, and have sealed-faithfully delivered up, to them this fruit, of the success of my ministry and of your conversion to God, I will come by you into Spain: this was in his desire; he had fully purposed it, if God should see meet to permit him; but it does not appear that he ever went. See ver. 24.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 28. When therefore I have performed this , etc..] Meaning when he had dispatched that business, and finished that affair which the Macedonian and Achaian churches had entreated him to engage in, and which he had undertook; namely, to take their collection, and carry it to Jerusalem, and distribute it among the poor saints there; and which he expresses by another phrase, and have sealed to them this fruit . The liberality of the Gentile churches is called fruit, as it may be on many accounts; as with respect to the apostle, it was the fruit of his ministry and laborious preaching of the Gospel among them; he had been sowing the seed of the word, and planting churches in these parts; and among other fruits brought forth hereby, as the conversion of sinners, and edification of saints, the exercise of grace, and performance of good works, this of liberality to the poor saints was one: with respect to the persons, the objects of this bounty, it was the fruit of their spiritual things, which the Gentiles, by their means, had been partakers of; and would be as fruit, useful and profitable to them, to relieve their wants, supply them with necessaries, and make their lives more comfortable: and also with respect to the contributors, it was the fruit of the Spirit of God, and his grace in them; it was the fruit of faith, which works by love; and it was the fruit of their love to Christ, and to his saints; and was profitable to them in things temporal, spiritual, and eternal; promises of each being made and performed to such that sow liberally and bountifully. Now the ministration of this to the poor saints at Jerusalem, and on the behalf of the Grecian churches, the apostle calls a sealing it to them; and it is thought to be an allusion to the delivery of money sealed up, that it may not be lost, nor made use of for any other purpose than that for which it was designed: whether the apostle carried this collection sealed or not, it matters not; his sense is, that he should deliver it whole and safe unto them, and in such manner as to leave no suspicion that he had converted any part of it to his own use; though the word here used seems to answer to the Hebrew tj , which, with the Jews, frequently signifies to conclude, finish, and make an end of anything, as well as to seal; the sealing up of letters being the last and finishing part of them. Innumerable instances might be given; take the following one as a proof f270 : we find in the former prophets, ymtwj wyh , that they sealed, or ended their words with words of praise, or with words of consolation Says R. Eliezer, except Jeremiah, tj , who sealed, or finished with words of reproof. So the word is used in ( Daniel 9:24), and then the apostle's plain meaning is, when I have made an end of this affair, have finished this business of ministering and distributing to the poor saints at Jerusalem, I will come by you into Spain . The Ethiopic version reads it, Lasitania, designing, no doubt, Lusitania, which was formerly a part of Spain, now called Portugal. Whether the apostle ever was there is not certain nor very probable, since when he came to Jerusalem he was apprehended, and after sometime sent a prisoner to Rome, where he suffered; however, it was his intention to go to Spain, and to take Rome in his way thither.
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
τουτο 5124 D-ASN ουν 3767 CONJ επιτελεσας 2005 5660 V-AAP-NSF και 2532 CONJ σφραγισαμενος 4972 5671 V-AMP-NSM αυτοις 846 P-DPM τον 3588 T-ASM καρπον 2590 N-ASM τουτον 5126 D-ASM απελευσομαι 565 5695 V-FDI-1S δι 1223 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF σπανιαν 4681 N-ASF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
28. Sealed - this fruit. Secured to them the product of the contribution. See on John iii. 33; Apoc. xxii. 10.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
15:28 {Have sealed} (sphragisamenos). First aorist middle participle (antecedent action, having sealed) of sfragizw, old verb from sphragis, a seal (#Ro 4:11), to stamp with a seal for security (#Mt 27:66) or for confirmation (#2Co 1:22) and here in a metaphorical sense. Paul was keenly sensitive that this collection should be actually conveyed to Jerusalem free from all suspicion (#2Co 8:18-23). {I will go on by you} (apeleusomai di' humwn). Future middle of apercomai, to go off or on. Note three prepositions here (ap' from Rome, di' by means of you or through you, eis unto Spain). He repeats the point of verse #24, his temporary stay in Rome with Spain as the objective. How little we know what is ahead of us and how grateful we should be for our ignorance on this point.
