Romans 15:30

παρακαλῶ δὲ κ.τ.λ. This urgent appeal reveals, as by a lightning flash, the tension of mind in which S. Paul was living at the time: the supreme importance of this mission was only rivalled by its extreme dangers. The hostility of the Judaizers and still more, of the unbelieving Jews naturally culminated at the moment when the success of his work was on the point of being secured; cf. Acts 20:3. It is no wonder that to himself at one time success at another the dangers were more obvious (cf. Acts 20:22-25; Acts 21:4; Acts 21:13). Here, as he above appealed to their support for his projected work in Spain, he appeals for their prayers in this great crisis.

διὰ τοῦ—διὰ τῆς κ.τ.λ. See Romans 12:3 n. ‘on the authority of.’

τῆς�. A. unique phrase: not |[313] Galatians 5:22; Colossians 1:8. The idea = Romans 8:26 f. The parallelism of the clauses points to the meaning—the love which the Holy Spirit has for us and works in us—not the latter only.

[313] | parallel to

συναγωνίσασθαι. Only here; cf. for the simple verb Colossians 1:29; Colossians 4:12, of strenuous effort. N. aor., the case brooks no delay.

ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς marks the way in which they can help in this supreme struggle.