Romans 15:23

But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; BUT NOW HAVING NO MORE PLACE IN THESE PARTS, [ meeketi (G3371) topon (G5117) echoon (G2192) en (G1722) tois (G3588) klimasi (G2824) toutois (G5125)] - 'no longer having place (or "room") in these quarters;' that is, no unbroken ground, no spots where Christ had not been preached. And having a great desire...

22-29 The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is pleasing to God, before visits and compliments, which may please us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the conversion of souls. Christian society is a heaven upon earth, an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ at the great day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our communion with Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The apostle was going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of charity. God loves a cheerful giver. Every thing that passes between Christians should be a proof and instance of the union they have in Jesus Christ. The Gentiles received...

Verse 23. _BUT-HAVING NO MORE PLACE IN THESE PARTS_] Having nothing farther at present that I can do - for τοπον εχειν signifies not merely to _have a place of residence_, or the like, but _convenience, opportunity_; which is a frequent meaning of the phrase among the best Greek writers - having no large place or city, where Christianity has not yet been planted, in which I can introduce the Gospel. The apostle was then at _Corinth_; and having evangelized all those parts, he had no opportunity of breaking up any new ground....

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 some new region, and lay the foundation of other churches. AND HAVING A GREAT DESIRE ... - See Romans 1:9....

EXPOSITION ROMANS 16:1 IV. SUPPLEMENTARY. Questions have been raised and much discussed as to the connection of the last two chapters, 15. and 16., with the rest of the Epistle. The facts and the opinions founded on them may be summarized as follows. (1) There is sufficient proof that in early times copies of the Epistle existed without these two chapters. The evidence is this— (A) Origen (on Romans 16:25) speaks of some copies in his time being without the concluding doxology, and also without any part of these two chapters, attributing the omission to Marcion, for his own purposes, having mutilated the Epistle. His words are, "Caput hoc (_i.e._...

BUT NOW HAVING NO MORE PLACE IN THESE PARTS,.... Not because persecution was too hot for him, and therefore could not stay any longer, for this was what he expected everywhere; nor did it discourage him in his work, for he took pleasure in enduring it for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; but because he had fully preached the Gospel from Jerusalem, in his circuit to Illyricum, had filled every town and city with it, had planted churches in every place, and ordained elders over them, to whom the care and charge of them were committed; that there were no more places for him to preach in, but either where he himself had been already, or some other of the apostles; not but that he could have stayed with usefulness to these new formed churches, for the edifying and confirming of them, for the furtherance of the joy of faith in them, and for the defence of the Gospel and its ordinances among...

Romans 15:13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed. Through mighty signs and wonders,...

CHAPTER 15 _ 1. The Example of Christ. (Romans 15:1 .)_ 2. The Ministry of Christ. (Romans 15:8 .) 3. Paul's Personal Ministry. (Romans 15:14 .) Romans 15:1 An additional motive is brought in why the strong should bear the infirmities of the weak and not please themselves. It is Christ. He did not please Himself, but bore in great meekness and patience the reproaches with which men reproached God, and these reproaches fell on Christ Himself. It was the reproach of God He bore in perfect meekness. We are therefore to be likeminded one to another according to Christ Jesus. Wherefore receive ye one another

THE PROSPECT OF COMING TO ROME. Romans 15:22. This long task repeatedly detained the writer; but now that he has evangelised the Eastern Provinces, he may realise the yearning toward Rome he had cherished for a good many yearsas, he adds, I may be taking my way to Spain. Being a pioneer missionary, Paul cannot make Rome, where Christ has long been named, his objective: I hope to visit you as I travel through, and by you to be sent forward, etc. Calling by the way, he will not see all he desires of his Roman friends; the taste of their company will help him forward (_cf. Romans 1:11_). Events turned out far otherwise (see Acts 25-28, Ephesians 6:20;...

THE MARKS OF THE FELLOWSHIP (Romans 15:1-6)...