Paul wrote believers in Rome (Romans 15:28, 29 NET):<\/p>\n
Therefore after I have completed this [<\/em>contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem[1]<\/sup><\/a>]<\/em> and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set out for Spain by way of you, and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of Christ\u2019s blessing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Greek word translated fullness <\/em>was \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u1f7d\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9 (a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03ae\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>).\u00a0 Paul had written about his fellow countrymen<\/a><\/em>: Now if their transgression means riches for the world and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration<\/em> (\u03c0\u03bb\u1f75\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1; KJV: fulness<\/em>) bring?<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?<\/em>[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
Elsewhere he wrote, when the appropriate<\/em> (\u03c0\u03bb\u1f75\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1; KJV: fulness<\/em>) time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights. \u00a0And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls \u201cAbba! Father!\u201d<\/em>[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 For God was pleased to have all his fullness<\/em> (\u03c0\u03bb\u1f75\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1; KJV: fulness<\/em>) dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross \u2013 through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven<\/em>.[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
Paul continued his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 2:6-14 NET):<\/p>\n
Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. \u00a0Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. \u00a0For in him all the fullness (\u03c0\u03bb\u1f75\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1; KJV: fulness)<\/em> of deity lives in bodily form, and you have been filled (\u03c0\u03b5\u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03cc\u03c9<\/a>)<\/em> in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. \u00a0In him you also were circumcised \u2013 not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ. \u00a0Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead. \u00a0And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. \u00a0He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness (\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9\u03c1\u1f79\u03b3\u03c1\u03b1\u03c6\u03bf\u03bd<\/a>)<\/em> expressed in decrees opposed to us. \u00a0He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/a>I kneel before the Father<\/em>, he wrote believers<\/a> in Ephesus, from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. \u00a0I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up <\/em>(\u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03b8\u1fc6\u03c4\u03b5, another form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03cc\u03c9) to all the fullness <\/em>(\u03c0\u03bb\u1f75\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1; KJV: fulness<\/em>) of God<\/em>.[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
The love <\/em>Paul prayed that they may know<\/em>\u00a0(\u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03b3\u03b9\u03bd\u03ce\u03c3\u03ba\u03c9<\/a>), that they had been rooted and grounded in<\/em>, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, all the fullness<\/a> of God<\/em>, is the fulfillment<\/em> (\u03c0\u03bb\u1f75\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1; KJV: is the fulfilling<\/em>) of the law<\/em>.[7]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0So I came to Paul\u2019s declaration\u2014I will come in the fullness<\/em> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u1f7d\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03ae\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1) of Christ\u2019s blessing<\/em>\u2014with high expectations.\u00a0 But Paul came to Rome as a prisoner in chains (Acts 26:29-32<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Though the words do not appear in the parallel Greek text of the NET<\/a> online and Bible Hub<\/a> doesn\u2019t recognize them,[8]<\/sup><\/a> both the Stephanus Textus Receptus<\/a> and the Byzantine Majority Text<\/a> contain the words \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5 (a form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03ad\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd<\/a>) translated of the gospel<\/em>: And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ<\/em>.[9]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
I\u2019m a little embarrassed to admit that the addition of \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5 (of the gospel<\/em>) to this word string lowers my expectations concerning Paul\u2019s triumphal entry into Rome, especially in light of his attitude toward \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5 elsewhere (See Table2<\/a> below).\u00a0 But my own higher or lower expectations are not very fruitful ways to understand his words.\u00a0 By bringing my attention back to the gospel of Christ<\/em> \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5 has refocused my attention on Jesus\u2019 teaching (John 15:20, 21 NET):<\/p>\n
Remember what I told you, \u2018A slave is not greater than his master.\u2019 \u00a0If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. \u00a0If they obeyed (\u1f10\u03c4\u1f75\u03c1\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>)<\/em> my word, they will obey[10]<\/sup><\/a> (\u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, another form of \u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em> yours too. \u00a0But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It opens my ears to Paul\u2019s own assessment of his situation (Philippians 1:12-14 NET):<\/p>\n
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel (\u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5, a form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03ad\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd)<\/em>: The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ, and most of the brothers and sisters, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever dare to speak the word fearlessly.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My young religious mind preferred Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion, his resurrection notwithstanding.\u00a0 Resurrection never seemed to be quite enough to make up for crucifixion.\u00a0 I wished with all my heart that Jesus’ crucifixion story had turned out differently<\/a>. \u00a0Yes, his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, like everything He did and said, fulfilled scripture<\/a> (See the Gospel Harmony<\/a> below).\u00a0 But its main tactical achievement was to exacerbate the Pharisees\u2019 fear: Thus the Pharisees said to one another,\u00a0\u201cYou see that you can do nothing.\u00a0 Look, the world has run off after him!\u201d<\/em>[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
If Paul had entered triumphantly into Rome would we read about the saints who belong to Caesar\u2019s\u00a0household<\/a> <\/em>or would we read about Paul\u2019s premature death?\u00a0 With my mind set on God\u2019s interests rather than man\u2019s<\/a> I can see how coming to Rome as a prisoner in chains was in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ<\/em>.\u00a0 In fact, I can see the same thing for Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry into Jerusalem since the fear it caused among the Pharisees made them deaf to his teaching in their streets and in the temple (Matthew 21:12-25:46<\/a>; Mark 11:12-13:37<\/a>; Luke 19:45-21:38<\/a>; John 12:20-50<\/a>), and strengthened their earlier resolve to kill him (John 11:45-53<\/a>).\u00a0 As Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 53 Tanakh<\/a>):<\/p>\n
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4<\/a>)<\/em> revealed?\u00a0 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.\u00a0 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.<\/p>\n
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.\u00a0 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.\u00a0 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.<\/p>\n
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.\u00a0 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.\u00a0 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.<\/p>\n
Yet it pleased the LORD (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his\u00a0soul\u00a0an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> shall prosper in his hand.\u00a0 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.<\/p>\n
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As I began to believe[12]<\/sup><\/a> that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h<\/em>[13]<\/sup><\/a> this prophecy took on a whole new life for me.\u00a0 Paul wrote believers in Philippi (Philippians 2:5-11 NET):<\/p>\n
You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. \u00a0He humbled himself, by becoming obedient (\u1f51\u03c0\u1f75\u03ba\u03bf\u03bf\u03c2, a form \u1f51\u03c0\u03ae\u03ba\u03bf\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>)<\/em> to the point of death \u2013 even death on a cross! \u00a0As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow \u2013 in heaven and on earth and under the earth \u2013 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord<\/a> to the glory of God the Father.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Considering the Greek word \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2 (a form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1<\/a>), translated blessing<\/em>, however, another potential interpretation of Paul\u2019s words came to mind.\u00a0 Though blessing <\/em>seemed to be a perfectly suitable translation for most of the occurrences of forms of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1 in most of Paul\u2019s writings (See Table3<\/a> below), it is possible he had something else in mind in his letter to the Romans.\u00a0 Romans 15:29 was one of two occurrences of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2 (or any form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1) in this letter.\u00a0 The other occurred in a description of those Paul wanted Roman believers to avoid (Romans 16:17, 18 NET):<\/p>\n
Now\u00a0I urge\u00a0you,\u00a0brothers and sisters,\u00a0to watch out\u00a0for those who create dissensions\u00a0and obstacles\u00a0contrary\u00a0to the teaching\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0learned.\u00a0 Avoid\u00a0them!\u00a0\u00a0For\u00a0these are the kind who do\u00a0not\u00a0serve\u00a0our\u00a0Lord\u00a0Christ,\u00a0but their own appetites.\u00a0 By\u00a0their smooth talk\u00a0and\u00a0flattery\u00a0(\u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2, a form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1)<\/em> they deceive\u00a0the minds of the naive.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Obviously, this usage of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2 was on Paul\u2019s mind near the end of his letter to believers in Rome.\u00a0 So I think it is possible that he meant: \u201cI know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of \u2018fine speaking, fine discourse, polished language, the elegance of language\u2019 of the gospel of Christ,\u201d as opposed to smooth talk and flattery<\/em>.\u00a0 He was confidant of it.\u00a0 And journeying to Rome as a prisoner in chains didn\u2019t shake<\/a> his confidence (Acts 27-28<\/a>).<\/p>\n
He was in no way burdened excessively, beyond <\/em>[his] strength, so that<\/em> [he] despaired even of living<\/em>.[14]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0He had not decided <\/em>(\u1f14\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03bd\u03b1, a form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>) to be concerned<\/a> about nothing<\/a> among<\/a><\/em> [those in Rome] except Jesus Christ, and him crucified<\/em>.[15]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 From morning until evening he explained things to<\/em> [the local Jewish leaders<\/a><\/em>], testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets<\/em>.[16]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This led me to a final insight.<\/p>\n
Before I did this study I wondered from time to time if Paul had been too proud to heed the Holy Spirit’s prophecy given to Agabus.\u00a0 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there, <\/em>Paul told the leaders of the Ephesian church, except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me<\/em>.[17]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Agabus came to Paul with explicit insight (Acts 21:10-14 NET):<\/p>\n
While we remained [in <\/em>Caesarea<\/a>, at <\/em>the house of Philip the evangelist<\/a>]<\/em> for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. \u00a0He came to us, took Paul\u2019s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, \u201cThe Holy Spirit says this: \u2018This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.\u2019\u201d \u00a0When we heard this, both we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. \u00a0Then Paul replied, \u201cWhat are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? \u00a0For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.\u201d \u00a0Because he could not be persuaded, we said no more except, \u201cThe Lord\u2019s will be done.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I can see now that the Holy Spirit\u2019s prophetic word wasn\u2019t given so that Paul might flee and thwart it.\u00a0 It was given so that when it came to pass those in Philip\u2019s house in Caesarea and Paul\u2019s companions and I and anyone else who will hear would know that the Lord\u2019s will<\/em> had been done.<\/p>\n
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters<\/em>, Paul continued his letter to believers in Rome, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf. \u00a0Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient<\/em> (\u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03b8\u03bf\u1f7b\u03bd\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) in Judea and that my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God\u2019s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. \u00a0Now may the God of peace be with all of you. \u00a0Amen<\/em>.[18]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
Paul was rescued from the unbelieving in Judea, bent over backwards to make his ministry acceptable to the saints in Jerusalem (Acts 21:17-26<\/a>) and by God’s will<\/em> came at last to Rome.<\/p>\n
A gospel harmony<\/a> of Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry into Jerusalem follows.\u00a0 The temporal arrangement of individual elements may be arguable.\u00a0 Then there are three other tables listing Paul\u2019s usage of forms of \u03c0\u03bb\u03ae\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03b1<\/a> and \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5<\/a> (a form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03ad\u03bb\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd) and forms of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1<\/a> with their translations in the KJV and NET.\u00a0 If the parallel Greek of the NET differed from the Stephanus Textus Receptus I broke the tables to contrast those differences, along with the Byzantine Majority Text.<\/p>\n