Note 9 at Rom. 15:31: Paul's prayer request was that he would be delivered from the religious unbelievers in Jerusalem. The answer to this prayer came in a way that many of us would not have liked. Instead of not having any problems, he was assaulted and wound up spending many years in prison. Yet, he was delivered from the unbelieving Jews. They tried to kill him three times (Acts 21:31; 23:20-21; 25:2-3), but the Lord delivered him through the Roman government.

Note 10 at Rom. 15:31: Paul knew that trouble was waiting for him in Jerusalem. In Acts 20:22-23, Paul said he didn't know exactly what would happen to him in Jerusalem but he knew it would be bonds and afflictions (see note 4 at Acts 21:4, p. 700).