“It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they ought to serve them with their material blessings. — Eudokeō (were pleased) and indeed ōpheilō (they are indebted, owe). If the Gentiles have metaschēmatizō (participated in) the pneumatika (spiritual things) of the Jews, then opielo (they ought) leitourgein (to minister, serve) autois (them) in their hylika (material, earthly things). Spiritual blessing generates material obligation.
Church Fathers on Romans 15:27
Since he had said that I have no longer “more place in these parts,” and, “I have a great desire, these many years, to come unto you,” but he still intended to delay; lest it should be thought that he was making a jest of them, he mentions the cause also why he still puts it off, and he says, that “I am going unto Jerusalem,” and is apparently giving the excuse for the delay. But by means of this he also makes good another object, which is the exhorting of them to alms, and…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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