17Therefore in Messiah Yeshua I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Messiah has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Messiah.

Like in Philippians 3:7-8, Paul saw no point in boasting in himself but rather delighted in glorifying God through Messiah, specifically in the things that the Messiah accomplished through him. Indeed, believers should understand that whatever good we do is only the Messiah living through us; all glory should go to God through the Messiah. Specifically, the accomplishment Paul boasted in was that through his ministry the Gentiles embraced the God of Israel and began to live lives obedient to His ways. The phrase "by word and deed" could either be connected to the phrase "obedience of the Gentiles" or to the latter part of this passage where Paul described his own ministry. Though the obedience that resulted among the Gentiles was both in word and deed, it seems more likely that Paul used these words to describe his own ministry. In other words, it was through his words, deeds, demonstrated through signs and wonders that the Gentiles were gathered to God through the gospel. Those spreading the message of salvation must accompany their words with deeds; the message of the gospel cannot be an empty message, it must be lived out by example. To put it another way, the gospel message does not simply require "believing," in the sense of mental agreement but instead a matter of repentance; the gospel should change your life, repenting from sin and becoming obedient to God. Paul's ministry was also in the power of signs and wonders. As with any of the prominent figures of the Biblical era, God established them not only through sound teaching but a demonstration of miraculous signs; the presences of signs and wonders indicated that God's authority rested with them. This was not enough, however, as Paul also stated that his ministry was in the power of the Spirit, which refers to life changing work of the Spirit that was displayed in the spiritual conversion of pagans to believers; better than healing and other signs is the power of the Spirit in a changed life. Additionally, Paul explained that he had fully proclaimed the gospel from Jerusalem and as far as Illyricum, which was a Roman province in what is now modern-day Albania. The use of the metaphor of a foundation in the next verse would indicate that the by "fully preached," Paul meant he had laid the appropriate foundation for faith in and devotion to the Messiah could be built.

20And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Messiah was already named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation; 21but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND." 22For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 

Since Paul had already fully proclaimed the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum, he aspired to move on to other areas, specifically areas where Messiah had not already been named. In order to truly understand these words, we have to envision a world where the Gospel was still a part of a sect of Judaism and was only beginning to branch out to the nations. Though Paul obviously spent much of his time teaching believers, instructing and exhorting them, his heart's desire was to bring the knowledge of God and His salvation to areas of the world where the gospel had not yet been proclaimed. Again, we need to remember the world Paul lived in; most of the world needed basic education about the God of Israel, the one true God, let alone the message about salvation. This is why Paul quoted Isaiah 52:15, a prophecy of the Messiah that spoke of how the Gentiles who had not seen or even heard of Him would come to accept Him. Notice however that Paul's desire was not to the areas that already named the Messiah, meaning areas where there were people already established in discipleship to Yeshua as the Messiah. Paul called ministering in an area where Messiah was already named as "[building] on another man's foundation." It's not that it's wrong to build on another man's foundation; it's just that it wasn't Paul's desire as an Apostle. Indeed, overseers, teachers and others who minister within a community are, by necessity, building on another man's foundation but this isn't the purpose of an Apostle, especially in the Apostolic era since the Apostles had the specific commission to proclaim the good news throughout the world (cf. Matthew 28:19-20). Paul's previous work in the cities between Jerusalem and Illyricum prevented him from coming to Rome to visit the communities there.

23but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 24whenever I go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while-- 

Since, it would appear that the area between Jerusalem and Illyricum had been covered, plus the fact that he had a desire for many years to visit the Roman communities, Paul planned to visit Rome on his way to go to Spain. The phrase "no further place for me" cannot mean that the already established communities of The Way had no use of someone of Paul's character, knowledge and wisdom. Instead, it simply means that in regards to establishing a functioning community, there was no further use for Paul because communities had been established in every region. Interestingly, we get a sense that Paul took his time, carefully establishing believing communities among the synagogue communities and among the Gentile-dominated areas, since he had been prevented from visiting Rome for many years. Nevertheless, Paul's desire was to go to Spain, an area of the world that had apparently not yet been reached with the message about the now-come Saviour. Paul's intent to visit the Roman believers was to further establish them for the purposes of mutual encouragement (cf. 1:11-12) and also that he could be helped on his way to Spain. The phrase "helped on my way" referred to Paul's desire to be financially supported and that some from the Roman community would join him on his trip to Spain. That's not to say that he didn't also want to simply visit with them because he explicitly stated that "first," he intended to "[enjoy their] company for a while" before heading off to Spain.

25but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 

Before heading to Rome and Spain, Paul intended to go to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. Jerusalem, the city of the great King, was and should be the "home-base" of the believing world. Much in the same way that the Roman Catholic Church made Rome its base and the pope it's head, Jerusalem was the base of the believers in the first century, with the brother of the Master, Jacob, acting as leader until the Messiah returned. Knowing that the Master was to return to that city, many believers moved to Jerusalem but, unfortunately, this led to poverty among the believers there. Even though Paul's main desire was to bring the gospel to areas of the world that had never heard of the Messiah, he still made Jerusalem a priority. That Paul made a point to gather a collection among the Gentiles to support the Jewish believers in Jerusalem is evident in his epistles. Specifically, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Corinth) were pleased to give support to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Corinthians 8-9, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4). The Gentile believers of the first century knew full well that without the Jewish believers there would have been no opportunity to know about the one true God and the salvation He brings. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Paul explained that the believers should set aside a sum of money in proportion to his income on the first day of each week, saving up their money so that Paul would not have to take a collection when he visited them. Sometimes verse 2 of this passage is mistakenly used to propagate the idea that the believers were meeting on Sundays as over against the Sabbath. In reality, public gatherings were not even in view; instead, Paul simply gave instruction as to how they should save up their money to give to the poor in Jerusalem. 

27Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

In addition to their willingness to give to the poor in Jerusalem out of the goodness of their heart, the Gentile believers of those regions recognized the debt they owed to the Jewish believers. Gentile believers owe a material debt to the Jewish people because the Gentiles have been given the opportunity to share in their spiritual things. It is absolutely essential that we note that Paul called the spiritual things that Gentiles have shared in "their" spiritual things. The fact that Gentile believers have no Godly, spiritual heritage should not be lost on them. Anything that the Gentile believer has gained through their faith in Messiah is, first and foremost an act of God's grace, but also a result of the fact certain Jewish people shared the gospel with them. In other words, without the Jewish people, Gentile believers would not have known about God, the Messiah, salvation, holy living and the promise of the World to Come. The Jewish people have been the stewards of the Scriptures for over 3000 years and Gentiles should be eternally grateful for paving the way for them. The most obvious way that Paul taught that the Gentile believers could repay the Jewish believers is by supporting them materially. How this should be worked out today is certainly up for discussion but we should, at the very least, begin to recognize that Gentile believers, though not second-class citizens, are indebted to the Jewish people. If only the historic Christian Church had taken these verses to heart, many horrific acts against the Jewish people on behalf of the so-called church could have been avoided.

28Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Messiah.

 In Jerusalem, Paul planned to bring a financial offering with a delegation of Gentile believers to show the believing Jewish community that his message of full Gentile inclusion was not just a theological truth. The Gentile believers were to show their Jewish brothers and sisters that what God had done in them was a blessing to them and they wanted to reciprocate that blessing back to the Jewish people. This is an act of solidarity that Gentile believers today should look to emulate. Once Paul had brought this financial support to Jerusalem, he would then go to Rome on his way to Spain. He anticipated that his visit would be accompanied with full blessing, both through him and to him. This again echoes what he said in chapter 1, where he anticipated mutual encouragement (cf. 1:11-12). This should also be our outlook on our endeavours for HaShem, for if we are living in obedience to God’s will, we can be assured that God will bless our work.

30Now I urge you, brethren, by our Master Yeshua Messiah and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; 32so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. 

Paul then urged the believers of Rome to strive together with him in prayer to God on his behalf. He urged them by the Master Yeshua the Messiah, since each of them had a common devotion to the Messiah, they could pray for Paul as they would for any fellow believer. Additionally, his request was by the love of the Spirit, since the Spirit engendered love within each believer, a love that could be cultivated through pray for each other, especially for Paul. The phrase “strive together” refers to an “intense struggle,” so Paul did not ask that they pray for him in passing but that they intently sought the Father on Paul’s behalf. Here we find the great tension between God’s sovereignty and the responsibility of believers. If Paul’s mission was God ordained, why should Paul request prayer on his behalf? Mysteriously, though all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His will, God still wants His people to engage Him in the form of intercessory prayer. Each of us has a relationship with God and prayer cultivates that relationship, so that each of us can begin to become one with God’s own heart. Paul’s request for prayer was so that he could be rescued from those who were disobedient in Judea. While the believing community found their home-base in Jerusalem, there were obviously Jewish people, especially among the leadership, that was opposed to the Gospel, especially the Gentile aspect. Indeed, since Paul’s intent was to bring Gentile believers to Jerusalem, the traditional Jewish leadership could have misunderstood his intentions. This is why he also requested that they pray that what he hoped to accomplish in Jerusalem was successful. Paul again used priesthood related words to show that what he hoped to do in Jerusalem was akin to the work the Levitical workers did. He wanted the gift of financial support to be accepted by the saints in Jerusalem, as that would strengthen his message and then enable him to be sent on his way to Spain, stopping first in Rome to visit the believers to whom he was writing. Paul’s heart’s desire was to live by the will of God, something that can only be done when we first pattern our lives after His expressed will in the word. Subsequently, we can seek His face to know which direction each of us can take in matters of a personal nature. There is nothing greater than to live by God’s will and Paul intended to live in it with joy. His intention was to come to Rome and meet with the Roman believers, finding rest in their company. In other words, Paul wanted to be among “family,” those who would encourage him and support him in his mission to evangelize the world.

33Now the God of peace be with you all. [and all say] Amen.