The collection for the Jerusalem church

When Paul uses the word “Now,” it indicates that he is about to introduce a new topic. Beginning with today’s passage, Paul enters the concluding section of this letter. “The collection for the saints” refers to the collection for the Jerusalem church. (1) Paul was deeply concerned about providing support for the Jerusalem. Since he says, “as I directed the churches of Galatia,” we can see that he had been addressing this subject throughout the Gentile churches. (2) There are several possible reasons why the Jerusalem church was poor. One possibility is that a famine had impoverished the entire city of Jerusalem. Another is that Jewish believers in Jesus were suffering persecution in every area of life, including economically.

Why support the saints in Jerusalem?

What are the reasons for supporting the saints in Jerusalem? At least three reasons can be given (ref. Rom. 15:25-27; 2 Cor. 8-9; Gal. 2:10, etc.). (1) When a brother in Christ is poor, helping that brother is a practical expression of Christian love. (2) When Gentile believers help Jewish believers, it is an expression of the fact that both are one in Christ. In particular, since Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles had been criticized by some Jewish believers, this collection carried special significance. (3) Above all, it is only right that Gentile believers should support Jewish believers. In Romans 15:27, Paul states: “For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things.” Paul instructs each person to set aside and save an amount in keeping with his or her means every Sunday. As for how the collection was to be taken to Jerusalem, Paul writes that he could provide letters of introduction and have representatives of the church carry the gift, or, if appropriate, he himself could go with them. The fact that Messianic Jews need the support of Gentile Christians remains unchanged even today. We are Gentile Christians who have received spiritual blessings from the Jewish people. The principle of Romans 15:27 is still valid today.