_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:1.—In the East women were not permitted to mix in the society of men as in the Western world they are at present. Women were kept in a secluded room, γυνὰ κείον. Thus it might be necessary to have deaconesses as well as deacons, that the former might look to the indigent... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:3.—Thirty persons saluted. Explained partly by the character of the city to which Paul wrote, and partly by the character of the apostle who had preached the gospel extensively. He begins with Jewish Christians, and puts Priscilla’s name before her husband’s, partly on ac... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:7. MY KINSMEN.—Kindred. Perhaps in this passage the wider sense of fellow-countrymen. It is difficult to state what is the imprisonment here mentioned. Romans 16:8.—Amplias and Urbanus, two of few Latin names. Aquila, Junia, Rufus, Julia, etc., are names of Greek origin,... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:17.—No argument here for tradition or the inquisition. For even common people may discern true doctrine from false. We must seek for light on God’s revealed word. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 16:17_ Mark the separatists.—It is to be borne in mind that there... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:20.—Here is St. Paul’s own superscription, written with his own hand in all his epistles. The Author of peace is the Giver of victory. συντρίψει, selected with special regard to Genesis 3:15. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 16:20_. _The peace-destroyer’s destr... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:21.—Timothy and Sosipater with St. Paul at Corinth, where he wrote this epistle. Lucius perhaps St. Luke. Romans 16:22.—Tertius, a secretary with a Roman name to write to Romans. Romans 16:23.—Gains, said to be the first bishop of Thessalonica; but it is a recurring nam... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 16:25.—Editors are divided as to the position of the doxology, but its genuineness is substantiated by external and internal evidence. This concluding sentence contains the kernel of the doctrine of the whole epistle. The way for this evangelical revelation had been quietly p... [ Continue Reading ]