I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, _which is_ your reasonable service. Ver. 1. _I beseech_] _Volumus et iubemus_ we wish and we order, became the pope's style, A. D. 606. _ By the mercies of God_] His... [ Continue Reading ]
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what _is_ that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Ver. 2. _To this world_] To the corrupt customs and courses of wicked worldings. See them set forth, Romans 13:13; Ephesians 4:18,... [ Continue Reading ]
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think _of himself_ more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Ver. 3. _But to think soberly_] Gr. φρονειν εις το σωφρονειν, to be wise to... [ Continue Reading ]
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: Ver. 4. _For as we have, &e._] See 1 Corinthians 12:12, which is a commentary on this text.... [ Continue Reading ]
So we, _being_ many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Ver. 5. _One body in Christ_] _See Trapp on "_ 1Co 12:12 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ 1Co 12:13 _"_ And every one members] Try thy membership, if, 1. Sociable with Christ and Christians. 2. Useful and serviceable to the bod... [ Continue Reading ]
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, _let us prophesy_ according to the proportion of faith; Ver. 6. _According to the proportion_] That form of sound words, 2 Timothy 1:13, those principles of the doctrine of Christ, Hebrews 6:1, with which all... [ Continue Reading ]
Or ministry, _let us wait_ on _our_ ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Ver. 7. _Or ministry_] Take it either largely for the whole ministry, as 1 Corinthians 12:5; Acts 1:24,26; or more strictly for the office of a deacon, as Acts 6:1,6 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, _let him do it_ with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Ver. 8. _Or he that exhorteth_] The pastor properly so called. _See Trapp on "_ Eph 4:11 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let_ love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Ver. 9. _Abhor that which is evil_] Hate it as hell itself, αποστυγουντες, so the word signifies; _Mihi certe Auxentius nunquam aliud quam diabolus erit, quia Arianus, _ saith Hilary, I shall look upon Auxe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be_ kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Ver. 10. _Be kindly affectioned_] As natural brethren and more. _Arctior eat copula cordis quam corporis._ We are brethren in Adam according to the flesh, in and by Christ according to the Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Ver. 11. _Not slothful_] Or, not driving off till it be too late (ακνηρος, _cunctator_ the delayer). Charles, the son of Charles Duke of Anjou, who was king of Sicily and Jerusalem, was called _Carolus Cunctator, _ not in the sense as F... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Ver. 12. _Rejoicing in hope_] Hope makes absent joys present, wants, plenitudes, and beguiles calamity as good company doth the time. But without hope, patience is cold almost in the fourth degree, and that is but a little fro... [ Continue Reading ]
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Ver. 13. _To the necessity_] Gr. χρειαις, to the uses of the saints, not staying till they be in necessity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Ver. 14. _Bless them_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:44 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Ver. 15. _Weep with them that weep_] St Cyprian's compassion is remarkable, _Cum singulis pectus meum copulo, maeroris et funeris pondera luctuosa participo: cum plangentibus plango, cum deflentibus defleo, &c._ I partake in every man... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be_ of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Ver. 16. _Be of the same_] This verse had been easy had not interpreters obscured it, as Origen observeth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Ver. 17. _Recompense to no man_] In reason, revenge is but justice; Aristotle commends it, the world calls it manhood; it is doghood rather. The manlier any man is, the milder and more merciful, as David, 2 Samuel 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Ver. 18. _As much as lieth in you_] Let it not stick on your part. Give not offence carelessly, take not offence causelessly. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:9 _"_ It is the first office of justice, saith Cicero, to hurt nobody, unless... [ Continue Reading ]
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but _rather_ give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance _is_ mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Ver. 19. _Avenge not yourselves_] Some take the sword into their own hands; and, lest they should seem Anabaptists in taking two blows for one, will give... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Ver. 20. _Thou shalt heap_] Thou shalt melt him, and make him thy friend for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Ver. 21. _Be not overcome_] _In rixa is inferior est, qui victor est, _ saith Basil. In revenge of injuries, he is the loser that gets the better. Hence the apostle disgraceth it, by a word that signifieth disgrace or loss of victory, ηττημα, 1... [ Continue Reading ]