ACC ~ Romans 15 v26

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE POOR OF JERUSALEM. ORIGEN: Note how Paul subtly exhorts the Romans by praising the believers of Macedonia and Achaia. For if they could make some contribution, why could the Romans not do likewise? Most people think that Paul wanted the Romans to give to the same purpose as those of Macedonia and Achaia had done, but this interpretation seems to me to be too narrow. There were poor saints all over the place, and Paul wanted the Romans to develop a spirit of generosity toward them all. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

PELAGIUS: They thought it would be good for them to make some collection for the expenses of the saints who had voluntarily become poor for their edification. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

REMEMBER THE POOR. THEODORET OF CYR: When St. Barnabas and St. Paul took on the task of preaching to the Gentiles, they made an agreement with Peter, James and John, promising them that they would encourage Gentile believers to come to the aid of believers in Judea. Paul mentions this in his epistle to the Galatians: “When they perceived the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do.” INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

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