Romans 15:26

King James Version (KJV)

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia - That is, they have done it “cheerfully” and “voluntarily.” See their liberality and cheerfulness commended by the apostle in 2 Corinthians 8:1-6; 2 Corinthians 9:2. Paul had been at much pains to obtain this collection, but still they did it freely; see 2 Corinthians 9:4-7. It was with reference to this collection that he directed them to lay by for this purpose as God had prospered them on the first day of the week; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

Of Macedonia - That is, the Christians in Macedonia - those who had been Gentiles, and who had been converted to the Christian religion; Romans 15:27. Macedonia was a country of Greece, bounded north by Thrace, south by Thessaly, west by Epirus, and east by the AEgean sea. It was an extensive region, and was the kingdom of Philip, and his son Alexander the Great. Its capital was Philippi, at which place Paul planted a church. A church was also established at Thessalonica, another city of that country; Acts 16:9, etc.; compare Acts 18:5; Acts 19:21; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:10.

And Achaia - Achaia in the largest sense comprehended “all” ancient Greece. Achaia Proper, however, was a province of Greece embracing the western part of the Peloponnesus, of which Corinth was the capital; see the note at Acts 18:12. This place is mentioned as having been concerned in this collection in 2 Corinthians 9:2.

The poor saints … - The Christians who were in Judea were exposed to special trials. They were condemned by the sanhedrin, opposed by the rulers, and persecuted by the people; see Acts 8:1, etc.; Acts 12:1, etc. Paul sought not only to relieve them by this contribution, but also to promote fellow-feeling between them and the Gentile Christians. And “this” circumstance would tend much to enforce what he had been urging in Romans 14; 15 on the duty of kind feeling between the Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. Nothing tends so much to wear off prejudice, and to prevent unkind feeling in regard to others, as to set about some purpose “to do them good,” or to unite “with” them in doing good.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is pleasing to God, before visits and compliments, which may please us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the conversion of souls. Christian society is a heaven upon earth, an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ at 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 and instance of the union they have in Jesus Christ. The Gentiles received the gospel of salvation from the Jews; therefore were bound to minister to them in what was needed for the body. Concerning what he expected from them he speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from God he speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to have the gospel with the fulness of its blessings! What wonderful and happy effects does it produce, when attended with the power of the Spirit!

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

26. Macedonia. Paul’s first scene of labor in Europe (see on Acts 16:9, 10). One of its principal cities was Philippi.

Let us wait. These words have been supplied, and apparently correctly so. The Greek of the first part of this verse reads literally, “Or ministry, in our ministering.” The evident meaning is that those of us who have been called to this kind of service should devote ourselves wholeheartedly to it. The work of attending to the more temporal business of the church is not to be lightly regarded. It is as much a gift of God’s grace as is prophecy. The spiritual significance of such service is emphasized by the fact that in the days of the apostles only men who were “full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” were to be set over “the daily ministration” of alms (Acts 6:1, 3).

Achaia. Greece, including the Peloponnesus and a portion of continental Greece (see The Journeys of Paul). Its capital was Corinth, in which was located the principal church of the area.

Teaching. In 1 Cor. 12:28 the teacher is ranked next after apostles and prophets. His work is to arrange, develop, impress upon the mind and apply to the life the truths that have already been revealed. His gift lies in an enlightened understanding and the faculty of clear exposition. These were the qualifications that gave Apollos great power (see Acts 18:24-28). Those who have been called by God’s grace to be teachers should not grieve that they have not been deemed worthy to be prophets or apostles. Nor should they despise their work as of minor dignity and consequence. The Spirit of God appoints the individual believers to the kind of service for which they are best suited and according to His divine purpose for the church. Therefore, the Christian teacher who has faith in Christ’s leadership of His church will absorb himself wholly in his teaching. Moreover, as Paul instructed Timothy (1 Tim. 5:17), the elders who labor at teaching (KJV, “doctrine”) are worthy of “double honour.”

Contribution. Gr. koinÅÂnia, literally, “communion,” “fellowship.” The use of the term suggests the idea of sharing and fellowship that was represented by the gift. How this collection was gathered is recorded in 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1-6; 9:1, 2, 4-7 (cf. Acts 24:17).

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Romans 15:26