also from their success. But he would speak only of what Christ had wrought by him personally; namely, that he had preached the gospel with the greatest success, in many of the Gentile countries. || Through mighty signs and wonders-It does not appear that the apostle intended by these different names to express different things, as some have supposed, namely, that the onea, signs, were the miracles intended to prove the truth of the doctrine asserted, or message brought by the miracle-worker; and that repara, wonders, were such miracles as were intended to astonish, and terrify, and draw the attention of beholders; of which sort was the punish

There are several conclusions of this epistle: the first begins at this verse; the second, chap. xvi. 1; the third, verse 17; the fourth, verse 21; and the fifth, verse 25. Nevertheless, brethren-Notwithstanding your grace and knowledge; I have written the more boldly unto you-Have used the greater freedom and plainness in writing; in some sort Añо μeps, in part, or partly; as putting you in mind|| -That is, setting before you, and inciting you to the practice of what you know already; because of the grace that is given to me-That is, because I am constituted an apostle of the Gentiles. Whitby thinks, that by the expression, in part, in the former clause of the verse, the apostle meant to signify the||ment of Ananias and Sapphira with death, and of Gentile part of the Church of Rome to whom he Elymas with blindness: he doubtless meant miracles wrote, to put them in mind of God's great goodness in general, by both expressions. In the gospels, the to them. But it seems more probable he intended miracles of Christ are commonly called dvvaucis, thereby to insinuate, that his design in writing was, powers, or mighty works, to express the great power besides calling things to their remembrance which exerted in the performance of them. By the power they knew, to instruct them in some things which of the Spirit of God--Enlightening men's minds, they did not know. That I should be the minister and changing their hearts, and thereby rendering -The servant; of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, mi- the miracles wrought, and the word preached, effecnistering, preaching, the gospel of God-In order tual to their conviction and conversion. So that I to their conversion and edification; that the offering|| have fully preached the gospel of Christ-Have up of the Gentiles-To him, as living sacrifices; || made a full declaration thereof, not shunning to demight be acceptable-In his sight; being sanctified clare the whole counsel of God; not keeping back by the Holy Ghost-Plentifully communicated to any thing that I had reason to believe would be prothem, not only in a rich variety of gifts, but in his fitable to my hearers: from Jerusalem round about regenerating, purifying, and comforting influences; || unto Illyricum-This phraseology implies, that he making them wise and good, holy toward God, and|| had propagated the gospel, not in a direct line from useful to their fellow-creatures. I have therefore- Jerusalem to Illyricum, but far and wide, on every Having, by the blessing of God upon my labours, hand, through the interjacent countries. "Illyricum been instrumental in converting many of them, was a country in Europe, lying between Pannonia whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ-In and and the Adriatic sea. It is now called Sclavonia. through whom all my glorying is; in those things In the history of the Acts, there is no mention made which pertain to God-In the success of my minis- of Paul's preaching the gospel in Illyricum. Nevertry, wherein the glory of God is so much concerned. theless, as that country, on the south, bordered on Verses 18, 19. For I will not dare to speak, &c. Macedonia, where Paul often preached, he may, I will not glory of more than is true and has been some occasion, have gone from Macedonia into Illyreally done by my ministry; to make the Gentiles ricum. Yet this supposition is not necessary, as the obedient-To bring them to the faith, and to the apostle does not say he preached the gospel in, but worship and service of the true God; by word and only as far as Illyricum: which country, it appears, deed-By preaching and miracles. The apostle at the time he wrote this epistle, was the boundary would not speak of what Christ had not wrought by of his preaching westward."-Macknight. him, but by his disciples, for making the Gentiles obedient; though he might have claimed some praise

on

Verses 20-22. Yea, so have I strived to preachGreek, w de piñoriusμevov evayyekišeodai, literally,

Paul intimates his intention

ROMANS.

to go to Jerusalem.

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tion:

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

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you in my journey, and to be brought
on my way thitherward by you, if first I be
somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister

22 For which cause also hI have been much unto the saints. hindered from coming to you.

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many

i

years to come unto you;

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their if the Gentiles have

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, debtors they are.

For

Gr. with you. Verse 32. Acts xix. 21; xx. 22; xxiv. 17. m1 Corinthians xvi. 1, 2; 2 Corinthians viii. 1; ix. 2, 12. " Chapter XI. 17.

being ambitious; or, it being the object of my am- || himself by, of not building on another man's foundbition; namely, so far as Providence would permit ation, that no apostle had yet planted any church me to indulge it; to preach the gospel, not where in Spain. For 1 trust-I hope; to see you in my Christ was named--Had been preached before by journey thither-But he was not assured hereof by others: that is, This way I took, as to my choice of any divine revelation. Indeed this, among other places where to preach, lest I should build on an instances, is a proof that, in speaking of what he other man's foundation, and so decline the difficulties meant to do afterward, the apostle did not make which attend the settlement of new churches, or known any determinations of God revealed to him should assume to myself the credit due to others. by the Spirit, but his own resolutions and opinions He generally, though not altogether, declined preach- only. For there is no evidence that he ever went ing where others had preached, having a holy ambi- to Spain. And be brought on my way thitherward tion to make the first proclamation of the gospel in by you-By some of your church; if first I be places where it was quite unheard of, in spite of all somewhat filled-Satisfied and refreshed; with the difficulty and danger that attended the doing of your company-Your society and fellowship. The it. And the providence of God seemed, in a special Greek is only, with you. How remarkable is the manner, to prevent his preaching where others had modesty with which he speaks! They might rapreached, (though not entirely,) lest his enemies, ther desire to be satisfied with his company. He who sought every occasion to set light by him, says, somewhat satisfied, intimating the shortness should have had room to say that he was behind of his stay, or perhaps that the presence of Christ other apostles, not being sufficient for planting alone can thoroughly satisfy the soul. churches himself, but only for preaching where others had prepared his way; or that he declined the more difficult part of the ministry. But as it is written-According to that prophecy which is now fulfilling in my ministry; to whom he was not spoken of Namely, the Gentiles; they shall see-See on Isa. lii. 15. And they that have not heard-In former times; shall understand—And obey the gos- || pel. For which cause-That I might not build on another man's foundation; I have been much hindered from coming to you-Among whom Christ had been named. Or he means, that he had been hindered by the important work of planting the gospel elsewhere.

Verses 23, 24. But now, having no more place in these parts-Where Christ has now been preached in every city; and having a great desire-On various accounts; to come to you-I will attempt to put it in execution. Whensoever-At whatever time; I take my journey into Spain-Greek, ɛav Topevouai eiç tηv Eraviav, if I go into Spain; I will come to you-Namely, if God shall so permit. But this zealous design, it seems, was hindered by his imprisonment. It appears probable, from hence, considering the principle that Paul chose to govern

Verses 25-27. But now I go unto Jerusalem— Of this journey the apostle gave an account to Felix, Acts xxiv. 17; to minister unto the saints— To perform the office of carrying some contributions to them for their relief. For it hath pleased them-That is, the Christians; of Macedonia and Achaia, particularly the brethren at Philippi, Thessalonica, Beræa, Corinth, and in every other city of these provinces, where churches were planted by the apostle; to make a certain contribution—Koivoviav Tiva, literally, some communication, namely, of money; for the poor saints-For their believing brethren; which are at Jerusalem-Exposed to peculiar persecution and affliction. It hath pleased them, I say, and their debtors they are—That is, they are bound in justice, as well as mercy. "This repetition is very emphatical, especially as the apostle immediately explains the obligation under which the Christians in Macedonia and Achaia lay to make these collections for the poor of the brethren at Jerusalem. And his intention in this, no doubt, was to show the brethren in Rome that they ought to follow the example of the Macedonians and Achaians in that matter." For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things—

with me; or, as Doddridge renders it, that you join your utmost strength with mine-In your prayers to God for me; the original expression being derived from a word which signifies exerting the greatest strength and agility, such as the combatants exerted in the Grecian games. They must pray for themselves, who would have others strive toge

That is, the gospel, and the blessings of it, which were first declared to the Jews, and were spread abroad from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, throughout the world, Acts i. 4-8. Their duty is also―They are under an obligation by the great benefit received from them to recompense them in some sort, and (which is the only way they can recompense them) to minister unto them carnal things-Things need-ther with them in prayer. Of all the apostles, Paul ful for the body. "By calling the knowledge of the gospel, which was imparted to the Gentiles by the Jewish preachers, spiritual things, and the money, which the Gentiles were sending to the Jews, carnal || things, the apostle hath declared the true nature of both, and showed the great excellence of the one above the other; money procures conveniences only for the flesh; but the gospel improves the spirit, and fits it for a blessed immortality."-Macknight.

alone is recorded as desiring the prayers of the faithful for himself; and this he generally does in the conclusions of his epistles; yet not without making a difference. For, he speaks in one manner to them whom he treats as his children, with the gravity, or even severity of a father, such as Timothy, Titus, the Corinthians, and Galatians; in || another, to them whom he treats rather like equals, such as the Romans, Ephesians, Thessalonians, Colossians, Hebrews. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea-“The unbe

Verses 28, 29. When, therefore, I have performed this journey and service, and have sealed to them-lieving Jews at Jerusalem had got notice of Paul's Safely delivered to them, without diminution, as a success in converting the Gentiles, to whom he treasure under a seal; this fruit-This contribu- | preached salvation, without requiring them to obey tion, which is a fruit of their brethren's faith and love; I will come by you into Spain-Such was his design, though it seems it was never accomplished. || There are often holy purposes in the minds of good men, which are overruled by the providence of God, so as never to take effect; and yet they are precious in the sight of God. And I am sure— Oida, I know; that when I come to you, I shall come to you in the fulness, &c.—I shall be a means of communicating to you abundance of gospel blessings. It is evident from this, and from the 28th || verse, as well as from chap. i. 10, 11, that Paul wrote this epistle while he was at liberty, and before Christ had told him, as is mentioned Acts xxiii. 11, that he must testify of him at Rome; and before he was constrained to appeal to Cesar, as is related Acts xxv. 11; for in this epistle he speaks still of his journey to Rome as of a voluntary undertaking, not supposing that he should be sent thither as a prisoner.

Verses 30-33. Now I beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake-That is, by all which he has done for you; and for the love of the Spirit-That is, by the love to God, and Christ, and his saints and servants, which is the fruit of the Spirit, that ye strice-way vicarda, that you agonize together

b

the law of Moses. And being falsely informed that he taught all the Jews which were among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, &c., (Acts xxi. 21,) they were exceedingly enraged against him." Of this the apostle being well apprized, and knowing of what importance the preservation of his life was to the church, is thus urgent in his requests for the continued, fervent prayers of the brethren at Rome, that he might be preserved from the power of these enemies of Christ and his servants; and that his service in making the collections might be well received by the saints there. These were evidently the grand reasons why he was so earnest in desiring the prayers of the faithful for him; for, had his own personal safety alone been the object of his solicitude, independent of the prosperity of God's work, and the salvation of the souls of the Gentiles, he doubtless would have desired to depart, and be with Christ, which he knew would be far better than remaining longer in the body, in this world of sin and sorrow. That I may come unto you with joy-"As the apostle proposed to visit the Romans after delivering the collections at Jerusalem, he earnestly wished that that service might be acceptable to the brethren there; because, if it was well received, it would have great influence in producing

that happy union of the Jews with the Gentiles, || chap. xxi.-xxvi. Now the God of peace-Who is which he had so much at heart to accomplish, and make him come to Rome in great joy. But how much he was disappointed in his generous design, and in what disadvantageous circumstances he came to Rome, the history of the Acts informs us." See

CHAPTER XVI.

In this chapter, (1,) Phebe, a deaconess of the church of Cenchrea, having occasion to go to Rome on some important buszness, the apostle earnestly recommends her to the good offices of the believers at Rome, 1, 2. (2,) He subjoins to this recommendation salutations to a number of persons by name, members of the church at Rome, with whom he seems to have been acquainted, 3–16. (3,) After finishing his salutations, he gives the Roman Christians a few more practical advices, suited to their circumstances; especially cautioning them against those who wished to divide the church, 17-20. (4,) He sends them salutations from his assistants, adding thereto his own apostolical benediction, 21–24. (5,) He concludes this letter, in which he had considered the dispensations of God to mankind from the beginning of the world to the end of time, with a sublime doxology to God the Father, 25–27.

A. M. 4064. COMMEND unto you Phebe our || cometh saints, and that ye assist her A. M. 4064. sister, which is a servant of the in whatsoever business she hath need church which is at a Cenchrea: of you for she hath been a succourer of many,

2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as be- and of myself also.

Paul greets many of the

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3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my house. Salute my well-beloved Epe- A. M. 4064.
helpers in Christ Jesus:
netus, who is the first-fruits of Acha-
ia unto Christ.

4 Who have for my life laid down their own
necks: unto whom not only I give thanks,
but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their

d

Acts xviii. 2, 18, 26; 2 Tim. iv. 19.

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour

on us.

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kins

d1 Cor. xvi. 19; Col. iv. 15; Phil. ii.— 1 Cor. xvi. 15.

she performed to many as a deaconess. The apos- there does not appear to have been then in the whole tle's direction implies, that all the faithful ought to || city any more than one of these domestic churches, be particularly attentive in giving assistance and re- otherwise there can be no doubt but Paul would lief to those who have been remarkable for assist- || have saluted them also. Salute mỳ well-beloved ing and relieving others.

Epenetus-Although the apostle had never been at Rome, yet he had many acquaintances there. It is justly observed by Theophylact, that it was a very great praise to any one to have been the beloved of Paul, because his love was not the effect of a blind partiality, but of a well-founded judgment concern

fruits of Achaia-The Alexandrine and Clermont MSS., with the Arabic, Ethiopic, and Vulgate versions, and many Greek and Latin commentators, have Tns Aolas, of Asia, in this place; which some suppose to be the true reading, because, 1 Cor. xvi. 15, the apostle calls the house of Stephanas, the firstfruits of Achaia. But if Epenetus was one of that

Verses 3-5. Greet—Or, salute, as aoraσaode is generally rendered; Priscilla and Aquila—That is, || declare to them my Christian love, and desires of their welfare. The apostle first became acquainted with this excellent couple at Corinth, to which city they had come from Rome in consequence of a de-ing the person's true character. Who is the firstcree of the Emperor Claudius commanding all Jews to depart thence. When Paul left Corinth the first time, they accompanied him to Ephesus, Acts xviii. 2, 18, 19: and when he departed from that city to go to Jerusalem, they did not go with him, but remained at Ephesus till he returned, as appears from their sending their salutations to the Corinthians in the apostle's first epistle to them, chap. xvi. 19, writ-house, or was converted at the same time with Steten from Ephesus while he abode there, after his phanas, he also was a part of the first-fruits of Achaia, return from Jerusalem, mentioned Acts xix. 1. But for there is no manner of necessity to understand on the death of Claudius they appear, from this by that expression the very first Christian convert. verse, to have gone back to Rome to follow their Verse 6. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour occupation, being there when this salutation was on us-Performed many good offices for the faithsent to them. My fellow-helpers-Namely, in pro-ful, especially for the preachers of the gospel. The pagating the gospel, being always ready to exert apostle is very affectionate in these salutations, themselves to the utmost to aid its progress, as far giving almost every one some signal epithet, that he as they had opportunity. They had been very ac- might both recommend them for their piety and virtive in spreading the gospel both at Corinth and tue, and propose them as examples for the imitation Ephesus; and doubtless they were so now at Rome | of others; as also that he might show his gratitude also. Who have for my life laid down their own to them, and the esteem he had for them. And connecks-Hazarded their own lives to save mine; per- cerning these salutations, and others in the apostolic haps in the violent opposition which the Jews made epistles, it is proper to remark in general, "that they to him, as mentioned Acts xviii. 6, 7; or in the up- were of great benefit to the persons saluted. For, roar at Corinth, recorded Acts xviii. 12; or in that at being sent to individuals in letters addressed to the Ephesus, Acts xix. 23. The expression, which is churches of which they were members, such public proverbial, and denotes their undergoing the greatest testimonies of the apostle's esteem not only gave perils, is used in allusion to the custom of placing the saluted much pleasure, but confirmed them in on blocks the necks of criminals, whose heads are the faith, and encouraged them to bear with patience to be cut off. Unto whom not only I, but all the the sufferings attending the profession of the gospel. churches of the Gentiles-Even that at Rome; give || And to us, these salutations are an example of that thanks-Because the preservation of his life redound-love which we owe to the sincere disciples of Christ ed to the benefit of them all. Likewise greet-Sa- on account of their character. Further, the apostle, lute; the church that is in their house-The Chris-by naming so many persons in his epistles, hath not tian congregation, that was wont to assemble there only transmitted to posterity an honourable characfor divine worship. Aquila, it seems, performed the same part at Rome which Gaius did at Corinth, verse 23; he opened his house to receive the gospel, and those that were desirous to attend the ministry of it, and to join in the worship of the true God. As yet, however, it seems the Christians at Rome had neither bishops nor deacons. So far were they from any shadow of papal power. Nay,

ter of them, but hath furnished an additional proof of the truth and authenticity of his own epistles. For all the persons named in them were appealed to as witnesses of the things which he had written."

Verses 7, 8. Salute Andronicus and Junia-Or, Junias rather, it being evidently the name of a man, as appears from the apostle's terming them both his kinsmen-And saying, that they were of note among