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"Their duty is also to minister..."

Text: Romans 15:27

DEEP MOTIVATION

The Gentile Churches were deeply motivated to give towards meeting the needs of the brethren in Jerusalem. This was well stated in the following text.

“It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors.
For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things,
their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”
Romans 15:27

1. It pleased them indeed

Paul felt that he needed to emphasise this truth. The Gentile believers were really more than happy to be able to give their contributions to the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem.

2. They are their debtors

a) The Gentile believers felt a deep sense of indebtedness to their Jewish brethren.

b) This provided a powerful sense of motivation for the Gentile believers to respond positively (in the form of practical support).

3. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things

a) Partakers of their spiritual things

Three things may be highlighted:-

i) They are heirs of Abraham (Cf. Romans 4:16-17)

ii) They have been wondrously redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and have received many rich spiritual blessings (Cf. Ephesians 1:3-14)

iii) They are one with the Jews in the household of faith (Cf. Ephesians 2:19-22)

b) Their duty is also to minister to them in material things

i) The word “duty” is a powerful one describing “moral obligation”.

ii) The Gentiles felt that giving in the form of material goods is nothing compared to what they have received from the Jewish brethren; it was simply their duty to minister to the saints in Jerusalem

iii) The strong moral element in the spirit of giving enabled the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to minister most effectively.