_GOD'S MERCIES MUST MOVE US TO PLEASE GOD. NO MAN MUST THINK TOO WELL OF HIMSELF, BUT ATTEND EVERY ONE ON THAT CALLING WHEREIN HE IS PLACED. LOVE, AND OTHER DUTIES, ARE REQUIRED OF US. REVENGE IS ESPECIALLY FORBIDDEN._ _Anno Domini 58._ THE Apostle, having now finished the doctrinal part of his Ep... [ Continue Reading ]
_ROMANS 12:1_. The Apostle has now finished his proofs and explications relating to the justification, calling, and election of the believing Gentiles, or to their being admitted into the kingdom and covenant of God, and interested in all the privileges and honours of his children and peculiar peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I SAY, &C.— "I say and give it in charge:" So λεγειν signifies, Acts 15:24. Instead of _Not to think of himself more highly,_ Doddridge reads, after Raphelius, _Not to arrogate to himself above what,_ &c. Instead of _measure of faith,_ some copies have it _of grace;_ but either of them expresses... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH— This _proportion of faith,_ and the _measure of faith,_ Romans 12:3 seem not to relate to the degree of any gift considered in itself, but rather to the relation and proportion which it bore to the gifts of others: for it is plain, that the Apostle is here exhor... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT RULETH, WITH DILIGENCE— Lord Barrington thinks this clause relates to the receiving and succouring of strangers; most probably, persecuted strangers; or, however, such as travelled for the propagation of the Gospel; and that for these reasons: _First,_ because the Apostle has admonished them... [ Continue Reading ]
BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED, &C.— Perhaps the extremely expressive words of the original might justly be rendered, _Delight in the tenderest fraternal affection to each other._ The word Φιλοστοργοι, not only signifies a _strong affection,_ like that of parent animals to their offspring, but a _delight_ in... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVING THE LORD— Some copies read καιρω, instead of κυριω, _serving the time;_ that is, husbanding your opportunities: but though admitted by Dr. Mills, it appears an unnatural and inelegant expression in that sense, and very much sinks the noblemeaningofthe commonly received reading; which contain... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY— It was the more proper for the Apostles frequently to enforce this duty, as the want of public inns rendered it difficult for strangers to get accommodations; and as many Christians might be banished their native country for religion, and perhaps laid under a kind of excommunic... [ Continue Reading ]
BE OF THE SAME MIND, &C.— _Be entirely united in your regards for each other._ Doddridge. Whitby paraphrases it, "Desire the same things for others, that you do for yourselves, and would have them desire for you." Dr. Heylin unites this with the preceding verse, and renders them as follows: _Live in... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVIDE THINGS HONEST, &C.— "Take care that your behaviour be such, as may be approved by all men." Dr. Wells reads,—_In the sight of God, and in the sight of men._... [ Continue Reading ]
AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES— The emperor Claudius, by his decree, banished all Jews from Rome, Acts 18:2. Upon this occasion Aquila and Priscilla removed to Corinth, where St. Paul found them, and dwelt with them a considerable time. No doubt they gave him a full account of the state of the Christian chur... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT HEAP, &C,— The sense cannot be, _thou shalt consume him_ and bring judgments upon him; for that would be applying to revenge, and building upon it, while it is most expressly forbidden. It must therefore intimate, in how tender a manner mankind in general are affected with favours receive... [ Continue Reading ]