Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ — To this introduction the conclusion answers, Romans 15:15, &c. Called to be an apostle — And made an apostle by that calling. While God calls, he makes what he calls. As the Judaizing teachers disputed his claim to the apostolical office, it is with great propriety... [ Continue Reading ]
Which he promised before — Of old time, frequently, solemnly. And the promise and accomplishment confirm each other. Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53:1; Isaiah 61:1; Jeremiah 23:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who was of the seed of David according to the flesh — That is, with regard to his human nature. Both the natures of our Saviour are here mentioned; but the human is mentioned first, because the divine was not manifested in its full evidence till after his resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
But powerfully declared to be the Son of God, according to the Spirit of Holiness — That is, according to his divine nature. By the resurrection from the dead — For this is both the fountain and the object of our faith; and the preaching of the apostles was the consequence of Christ's resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
By whom we have received — I and the other apostles. Grace and apostleship — The favour to be an apostle, and qualifications for it. For obedience to the faith in all nations — That is, that all nations may embrace the faith of Christ. For his name — For his sake; out of regard to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Among whom — The nations brought to the obedience of faith. Are ye also — But St. Paul gives them no preeminence above others.... [ Continue Reading ]
To all that are in Rome — Most of these were heathens by birth, Romans 1:13, though with Jews mixed among them. They were scattered up and down in that large city, and not yet reduced into the form of a church. Only some had begun to meet in the house of Aquila and Priscilla. Beloved of God — And fr... [ Continue Reading ]
I thank — In the very entrance of this one epistle are the traces of all spiritual affections; but of thankfulness above all, with the expression of which almost all St. Paul's epistles begin. He here particularly thanks God, that what otherwise himself should have done, was done at Rome already. My... [ Continue Reading ]
God, whom I serve — As an apostle. In my spirit — Not only with my body, but with my inmost soul. In the gospel — By preaching it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Always — In all my solemn addresses to God. If by any means now at length — This accumulation of particles declares the strength of his desire.... [ Continue Reading ]
That I may impart to you — Face to face, by laying on of hands, prayer, preaching the gospel, private conversation. Some spiritual gift — With such gifts the Corinthians, who had enjoyed the presence of St. Paul, abounded, 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 14:1. So did the Galatia... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, I long to be comforted by the mutual faith both of you and me — He not only associates the Romans with, but even prefers them before, himself. How different is this style of the apostle from that of the modern court of Rome!... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren — A frequent, holy, simple, sweet, and yet grand, appellation. The apostles but rarely address persons by their names; 'O ye Corinthians," "O Timotheus." St. Paul generally uses this appellation, " Brethren;" sometimes in exhortation, " My beloved," or, " My beloved brethren;" St. James, "B... [ Continue Reading ]
To the Greeks and the barbarians — He includes the Romans under the Greeks; so that this division comprises all nations. Both to the wise, and the unwise — For there were unwise even among the Greeks, and wise even among the barbarians. I am a debtor to all — I am bound by my divine mission to preac... [ Continue Reading ]
For I am not ashamed of the gospel — To the world, indeed, it is folly and weakness, 1 Corinthians 1:18; therefore, in the judgment of the world, he ought to be ashamed of it; especially at Rome, the head and theatre of the world. But Paul is not ashamed, knowing it is the power of God unto salvatio... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteousness of God — This expression sometimes means God's eternal, essential righteousness, which includes both justice and mercy, and is eminently shown in condemning sin, and yet justifying the sinner. Sometimes it means that righteousness by which a man, through the gift of God, is made an... [ Continue Reading ]
For — There is no other way of obtaining life and salvation. Having laid down his proposition, the apostle now enters upon the proof of it. His first argument is, The law condemns all men, as being under sin. None therefore is justified by the works of the law. This is treated of Romans 3:20. And he... [ Continue Reading ]
For what is to be known of God — Those great principles which are indispensably necessary to be known. Is manifest in them; for God hath showed it to them — By the light which enlightens every man that cometh into the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
For those things of him which are invisible, are seen — By the eye of the mind. Being understood — They are seen by them, and them only, who use their understanding... [ Continue Reading ]
Because, knowing God — For the wiser heathens did know that there was one supreme God; yet from low and base considerations they conformed to the idolatry of the vulgar. They did not glorify him as God, neither were thankful — They neither thanked him for his benefits, nor glorified him for his divi... [ Continue Reading ]
And changed — With the utmost folly. Here are three degrees of ungodliness and of punishment: the first is described, Romans 1:21; the second, Romans 1:25; the third, in Romans 1:28, and following verses. The punishment in each case is expressed by God gave them up. If a man will not worship God as... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore — One punishment of sin is from the very nature of it, as Romans 1:27; another, as here, is from vindictive justice. Uncleanness — Ungodliness and uncleanness are frequently joined, 1 Thessalonians 4:5 as are the knowledge of God and purity. God gave them up — By withdrawing his restrainin... [ Continue Reading ]
Who changed the truth — The true worship of God. Into a lie — False, abominable idolatries. And worshipped — Inwardly. And served — Outwardly.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore God gave them up to vile affections — To which the heathen Romans were then abandoned to the last degree; and none more than the emperors themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
Receiving the just recompense of their error — Their idolatry being punished with that unnatural lust, which was as horrible a dishonour to the body, as their idolatry was to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
God gave them up to an undiscerning mind — Treated of, Romans 1:32. To do things not expedient — Even the vilest abominations, treated of Romans 1:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
Filled with all injustice — This stands in the first place; unmercifulness, in the last. Fornication — Includes here every species of uncleanness. Maliciousness — The Greek word properly implies a temper which delights in hurting another, even without any advantage to itself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whisperers — Such as secretly defame others. Backbiters — Such as speak against others behind their back. Haters of God — That is, rebels against him, deniers of his providence, or accusers of his justice in their adversities; yea, having an inward heart — enmity to his justice and holiness. Invento... [ Continue Reading ]
Covenant — breakers — It is well known, the Romans, as a nation, from the very beginning of their commonwealth, never made any scruple of vacating altogether the most solemn engagement, if they did not like it, though made by their supreme magistrate, in the name of the whole people. They only gave... [ Continue Reading ]
Not only do the same, but have pleasure in those that practise them — This is the highest degree of wickedness. A man may be hurried by his passions to do the thing he hates; but he that has pleasure in those that do evil, loves wickedness for wickedness' sake. And hereby he encourages them in sin,... [ Continue Reading ]