Spain (Bible)

Biblical References

Spain is mentioned only twice, both in Romans 15. As Paul brings his work in the eastern regions to a close, he sets out his plans for the future. He writes that he hopes to visit the church in Rome on his way to Spain, to enjoy fellowship with the believers there, and to be sent on by the Roman church to Spain (Romans 15:24). He then explains that he will first deliver the contribution collected by the churches of Macedonia and Achaia to the saints in Jerusalem, and afterward will visit Rome on his way to Spain (Romans 15:28).

Among Korean Bible translations, the New Korean Revised Version and the Korean Revised Version render this place name as "Seobana," while the New Korean Standard Version and the Common Translation render it as "Seupein" (Spain).

Background

The Greek text calls this region Spania (Σπανία). In Latin it is Hispania, a name that refers to the entire Iberian Peninsula, including present-day Spain and Portugal. In Paul's day the region was governed as several provinces of the Roman Empire and had been Romanized from an early date. Because it lay at the western edge of the Mediterranean world, people of the time regarded it as the western end of the earth.

Significance in the Bible as a Whole

In the same chapter, Paul states that his principle is to preach the gospel where Christ has not yet been named (Romans 15:20). His plan to go to Spain is a prime example of this principle. Scholars commonly identify one of the purposes of Romans as securing the Roman church's support for a mission to Spain. Many also read the plan in connection with the command to be witnesses "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Interpretation and Debate

Scripture does not say whether Paul actually went to Spain. The book of Acts ends with the account of Paul staying in Rome for two years and preaching the gospel (Acts 28:30–31).

• The view that Paul did go to Spain rests on early church writings. The First Epistle of Clement, generally regarded as having been written in the late first century, states that Paul reached "the limit of the West." The Muratorian Fragment, a list generally dated to around the second century, also mentions Paul departing from Rome for Spain. This view is usually presented together with the hypothesis that Paul was released after his first imprisonment in Rome.
• The opposing view points out that there is no direct evidence within the New Testament and that the phrase "the limit of the West" could refer to Rome itself.

Spain also has a tradition that James the son of Zebedee preached the gospel in the region. This account, however, does not appear in Scripture; Acts records that James was martyred early (Acts 12:2). Some interpreters also connect the Old Testament Tarshish (Jonah 1:3 and elsewhere) with a place in the southern Iberian Peninsula, but scholars differ on its location.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Paul's plan to go to Spain is frequently cited in sermons on missions. In this context, Spain serves as a symbol of the missionary vision of advancing toward places the gospel has not yet reached.