Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 15].
15:25 {But now} (\nuni de\). Repeats the very words used in 23.
{I go} (\poreuomai\). Futuristic present as in Joh 14:2.
{Ministering unto the saints} (\diakonon tois hagiois\). Present
active participle of purpose like \eulogounta\ in Ac 3:26. This
collection had been one of Paul's chief cares for over a year now
(see 2Co 8; 9). See 2Co 8:4.
15:26 {For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and
Achaia} (\•udok•san gar Makedonia kai Achaia\). "For Macedonia
and Achaia took pleasure." The use of \•udok•san\ (first aorist
active indicative of \eudoke•\) shows that it was voluntary (2Co
8:4). Paul does not here mention Asia and Galatia. {A certain
contribution} (\koin•nian tina\). Put thus because it was unknown
to the Romans. For this sense of \koin•nian\, see 2Co 8:4;
9:13. {For the poor among the saints} (\eis tous pt•chous t•n
hagi•n\). Partitive genitive. Not all there were poor, but Ac
4:32-5:11; 6:1-6; 11:29f.; Ga 2:10 prove that many were.
15:27 {Their debtors} (\opheiletai aut•n\). Objective genitive:
the Gentiles are debtors to the Jews. See the word \opheilet•s\
in 1:14; 8:12. {For if} (\ei gar\). Condition of the first
class, assumed as true, first aorist active indicative
(\ekoin•n•san\, from \koin•ne•\, to share) with associative
instrumental case (\pneumatikois\, spiritual things). {To
minister unto} (\leitourg•sai\, first aorist active infinitive of
\leitourge•\ 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.
15:28 {Have sealed} (\sphragisamenos\). First aorist middle
participle (antecedent action, having sealed) of \sphragiz•\, 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' hum•n\). Future middle of \aperchomai\, 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
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