It may be of importance to state that between the last verse of the preceding chapter and the first verse of Romans 15, the Arabic version, some manuscripts and many of the Greek fathers, as Chrysostom, Theodoret, Theophylact, etc. have introduced Romans 16:25. Why this was done, has been a matter o... [ Continue Reading ]
WE THEN THAT ARE STRONG - The apostle resumes the subject of the preceding chapter; and continues the exhortation to brotherly love and mutual kindness and forbearance. By the “strong” here he means the strong “in faith” in respect to the matters under discussion; those whose minds were free from do... [ Continue Reading ]
PLEASE HIS NEIGHBOUR - That is, all other persons, but especially the friends of the Redeemer. The word “neighbor” here has special reference to the members of the church. It is often used, however, in a much larger sense; see Luke 10:36. FOR HIS GOOD - Not seek to secure for him indulgence in thos... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVEN CHRIST - The apostle proceeds, in his usual manner, to illustrate what he had said by the example of the Saviour. To a Christian, the example of the Lord Jesus will furnish the most ready, certain, and happy illustration of the nature and extent of his duty. PLEASED NOT HIMSELF - This is n... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHATSOEVER THINGS ... - This is a “general” observation which struck the mind of the apostle, from the particular case which he had just specified. He had just made use of a striking passage in the Psalms to his purpose. The thought seems suddenly to have occurred to him that “all” the Old Testa... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE GOD OF PATIENCE - The God who is “himself” long-suffering, who bears patiently with the errors and faults of his children, and who can “give” patience, may he give you of his Spirit, that you may bear patiently the infirmities and errors of each other. The example of God here, who bears long... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY WITH ONE MIND - The word used here is translated “with one accord;” Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1; Acts 4:24. It means unitedly, with one purpose, without contentions, and strifes, and jars. AND ONE MOUTH - This refers, doubtless, to their prayers and praises. That they might join without contenti... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - In view of all the considerations tending to produce unity and love, which have been presented. He refers to the various arguments in this and the preceding chapter. RECEIVE YE ONE ANOTHER - Acknowledge one another as Christians, and treat one another as such, though you may differ in o... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I SAY - I affirm, or maintain. I, a “Jew,” admit that his work had reference to the Jews; I affirm also that it had reference to the Gentiles. THAT JESUS CHRIST - That “the Messiah.” The force of the apostle’s reasoning would often be more striking if he would retain the word “Messiah,” and not... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT THE GENTILES ... - The benefits of the gospel were not to be confined to “the Jews;” and as God “designed” that those benefits should be extended to the “Gentiles,” so the Jewish converts ought to be willing to admit them and treat them as brethren. That God “did” design this, the apostle p... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AGAIN ... - ; Deuteronomy 32:43. In this place the “nations” or Gentiles are called on to rejoice with the Jews, for the interposition of God in their behalf. The design of the quotation is to show that the Old Testament speaks of the Gentiles as called on to celebrate the praises of God; of cou... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AGAIN - Psalms 117:1. The object in this quotation is the same as before. The apostle accumulates quotations to show that it was the common language of the Old Testament, and that he was not depending on a single expression for the truth of his doctrine. ALL YE GENTILES - In the psalm, “all ye... [ Continue Reading ]
ESAIAS SAITH - Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10. THERE SHALL BE A ROOT - A descendant, or one that should proceed from him when he was dead. When a tree dies, and falls, there may remain a “root” which shall retain life, and which shall send up a sprout of a similar kind. So Job says Job 14:7, “For there i... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE GOD OF HOPE - The God who “inspires,” or “produces” the Christian hope. ALL JOY AND PEACE - Romans 14:17. If they were filled with this, there would be no strife and contention. IN BELIEVING - The effect of believing is to produce this joy and peace. THAT YE MAY ABOUND ... - That your hop... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I MYSELF ALSO - The apostle here proceeds to show them why he had written this Epistle, and to state his confidence in them. He had exhorted them to peace; he had opposed some of their strongest prejudices; and in order to secure their obedience to his injunctions, he now shows them the deep int... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS - Notwithstanding my full persuasion of your knowledge and your purpose to do right. Perhaps he refers also to the fact that he was a stranger to them. THE MORE BOLDLY - More boldly than might have been expected from a stranger. The reason why he showed this boldness in declaring his s... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MINISTER - λειτουργὸν leitourgon. This is not the word which is commonly translated “minister” διάκονος diakonos. This word is properly appropriated to those who minister in public offices or the affairs of the state. In the New Testament it is applied mainly to the Levitical priesthood, who m... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE THEREFORE ... - I have cause of glorying. I have cause of rejoicing that God has made me a minister to the Gentiles, and that he has given me such success among them. The ground of this he states in Romans 15:18. GLORY - Of “boasting” καύχησιν kauchēsin, the word usually rendered “boasting”... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I WILL NOT DARE TO SPEAK - I should be restrained; I should be afraid to speak, if the thing were not as I have stated. I should be afraid to set up a claim beyond what is strictly in accordance with the truth. WHICH CHRIST HATH NOT WROUGHT BY ME - I confine myself “strictly” to what I have don... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH MIGHTY SIGNS AND WONDERS - By stupendous and striking miracles; see the note at Acts 2:43. Paul here refers, doubtless, to the miracles which he had himself performed; see Acts 19:11, “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul,” etc. BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD - This may... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, SO HAVE I STRIVED - The word used here φιλοτιμούμενον philotimoumenon means properly “to be ambitious, to be studious of honor;” and then to “desire” earnestly. In that sense it is used here. He earnestly desired; he made it a point for which he struggled, to penetrate into regions which had n... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AS IT IS WRITTEN - Isaiah 52:15. This is not literally quoted, but the sense is retained. The design of quoting it is to justify the principle on which the apostle acted. It was revealed that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles; and he regarded it as a high honor to be the instrument o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHICH CAUSE - I have been so entirely occupied in this leading purpose of my life, that I have not been able to come to you. MUCH HINDERED - Many ways; not many times. I had so frequent and urgent demands on my time elsewhere, that I could not come to you. FROM COMING TO YOU - Where the gospel... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW ... - Having no further opportunity in these regions to preach to those who have never heard the gospel. IN THESE PARTS - In the regions before specified. He had gone over them, had established churches, had left them in the care of elders Acts 20:17, and was now prepared to penetrate into... [ Continue Reading ]
WHENSOEVER I TAKE MY JOURNEY INTO SPAIN - Ancient Spain comprehended the modern kingdoms of Spain and Portugal, or the whole of the Spanish peninsula. It was then subject to the Romans. It is remarkable, even here, that the apostle does not say that his principal object was to visit the church at Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW I GO ... - I am about to go now. The mention of this intended journey to Jerusalem is introduced in several other places, and is so mentioned that Dr. Paley has derived from it a very strong argument for the genuineness of this Epistle. This intended journey is mentioned in Acts 19:21, “Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT HATH PLEASED THEM OF MACEDONIA - That is, they have done it “cheerfully” and “voluntarily.” See their liberality and cheerfulness commended by the apostle in 2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Corinthians 9:2. Paul had been at much pains to obtain this collection, but still they did it freely; see 2 Corint... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR DEBTORS - The reason he immediately states; compare Romans 1:14. OF THEIR SPIRITUAL THINGS - Have received the gospel by the instrumentality of those who had been Jews; and were admitted now to the same privileges with them. CARNAL THINGS - Things pertaining to the flesh; that is, to this lif... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE SEALED TO THEM - That is, have “secured it” to them. To seal an instrument of writing, a contract, deed, etc. is to “authenticate it,” to make it “sure.” In this sense it is used here. Paul was going himself to see that it was placed “securely” in their hands. THIS FRUIT - This result of the l... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM SURE - Greek, I know; expressing the fullest confidence, a confidence that was greatly confirmed by the success of his labors elsewhere. IN THE FULNESS OF THE BLESSINGS ... - This is a Hebrew mode of expression, where one noun performs the purpose of an adjective, and means “with a full or abu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S SAKE - Greek, By or through διά dia our Lord Jesus Christ; It means probably out of love and regard to him; in order to promote his honor and glory, and to extend his kingdom among people. Paul desired to be delivered from the bands of the Jews, that he might promote the... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY BE ... - The unbelieving Jews in Judea had been opposed to Paul’s conversion. They could not forget that he had borne letters of commission from them to persecute the Christians at Damascus. They regarded him as an apostate. They had heard of his success among the Gentiles; and they had b... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY COME TO YOU - That I I may not be impeded in my intended journey by opposition in Judea. WITH JOY - Joy to myself in being permitted to come; and producing joy to you by my presence. BY THE WILL OF GOD - If God will; if God permit. After all his desires, and all their prayers, it still... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE GOD OF PEACE - God, the author or promoter of peace and union. In Romans 15:13, he is called the God of hope. Here the apostle desires that the God who gives peace would impart to them union of sentiment and feeling, particularly between the Jewish and Gentile Christians - the great object f... [ Continue Reading ]