Romans 15:19

through mighty signs, &c. Lit., and better, in the might of signs and wonders, in the might of the Spirit of God. The second clause seems to explain the first; q. d., "and that might was not mine, but of the Spirit." The "might of signs, &c." is the might (of influence and effect) resulting from the display of miracle.

signs and wonders Same words as Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; John 4:48; Acts 2:19; Acts 2:22; Acts 15:12, &c.; 2 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Hebrews 2:4. There is, no doubt, a difference of precise meaning between the two words; but taken together they are a summary phrase for supernatural works of all kinds.

from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum These words are interpreted by some, "from Jerusalem, and thence in a circuitous trackto Illyricum." But the Gr. more properly means, "from Jerusalem and its surroundingseven to Illyricum." The "surroundings" of Jerusalem would be (1) Judæa, where St Paul did a work known only from Acts 26:20; and (2) neighbouring regions, as Syria, and perhaps "Arabia;" (Galatians 1:17: but see Introduction, i. § 8 not[47]). St Paul's work really began at Damascus; but Jerusalem was his most distantcentre of operations. Acts 13-19 forms the best comment on this verse.

[47] noteArabia, however, was then a largely inclusive term. Some have explained St Paul's absence in Arabia as if it were a first missionary effort; but the context in Galatians 1 points rather to an occasion of Divine intercourse and revelations.

Illyricum The Acts contains no mention of Illyricum; and some commentators doubt whether St Paul did more than approach it. But Meyer rightly says that, if so, this verse would be tainted with just that boastfulness (Grossthuerei) which was so earnestly renounced in Romans 15:18. The narrative of the Acts is manifestly a selection;and see Acts 20:1-2 for a suggestion of the possibletime of this visit. (See Introductioni. § 22).

Illyricum was "an extensive district lying along the E. coast of the Adriatic, from the boundary of Italy on the N. to Epirus on the S., and contiguous to Mœsia and Macedonia on the East." It was divided "into two portions, Illyris Barbara, the northern, and Illyris Græca, the southern. Within these limits was included Dalmatia." (Smith's Dict. Bibl.) Illyricum thus included the whole or parts of the modern Croatia, Dalmatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Albania.

fully preached Lit. fulfilled. Meyer well compares Acts 6:7, &c., "the word of God increased;" i.e. in extent of influence. So here, St Paul "fulfilled" the whole possible scope of the Gospel-message, in point of geographical space, in the direction taken by his work. A fair paraphrase would thus be, "I have carried the Gospel everywhere." The idea of unreserved doctrinal faithfulness(for which see Acts 20:20; Acts 20:27), is not suggested by the context here, where the emphasis is on extent of area.