Romans 15

Notes on the verses

Chap. XV. Ver. 3. The reproaches of them that reproacheu thee.—On this quotation Bishop Horne remarks, ‘The usage our Lord met with from his brethren [the Jews,] for his zeal for the house of God, should comfort those who meet with the same usage, on the same account.” aves Ver. 9. For this cause I will confess to thee.—Bishop Horne says, ‘* This verse is by the apostle produced as a proof that the Gentiles were one day to glorify God, for the mercy vouchsafed them by Jesus Christ. Ver. 15. In some sort, as putting you in mind, &c.—Doddridge, ‘‘ In this part (of my epistle,) as stirring up,” &c. Macknight, ‘‘ Partly as calling things to remembrance.’”’ Coz, “ In some degree.” Ver. 18. I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought—i.

e. Not exaggerate the facts, &c. Dr. Pye Smith renders it, “I would not dare to speak of any things except of those which Christ hath wrought through me,” &c. He adds, “ the two negatives appear to be put for strengthening the affirmation.” Q. d. ‘‘I may venture to speak freely of what Christ has done, for that is to his glory, not my own.” Ver 19. Round about unto Illyricum—i. e. as far as its western shores. (Illyricum, or Illyria, was a country of Europe, lying N. and N. W. of Macedonia, on the eastern coast of the Adriatic gulf, opposite Italy. It was distinguished into two parts; Liburnia north, now Croatia; and Dalmatia south, still retaining the same name. The account of St. Paul’s second visit to the peninsula of Greece, Ac.

xx 1,2. says Dr. Paley, leads us to suppose, that in going over Macedonia, he had passed so far to the west, as to come into those parts of the country which were contiguous to Illyricum if he did not enter Illyricum itself. The history and the Epistle therefore so far agree; and the agreement is much strengthened by a coincidence of time; for much before the time when this epistle was written, he could not have said so, as his route, in his former journey, confined him to the eastern side of the peninsula, a considerable distance from Illyricum.]—Bagster.. i: Ver. 24. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain.—Doddridge infers hence, compared with verse 20, that no Christian church had hitherto been founded in that country, though an ancient legend makes James to have resided there fifteen years.

[Spain is a large country in the west of Europe, which anciently comprehended both Spain and Portugal, separated from Gaul or France by the Pyrenees, and bounded on every other side by the sea.]—B. Ver. 25. I go unto Jerusalem.—See (Acts 20:1), &c. See Paley’s Hora Paul. (Romans 2)No. 1.. - it: Ver, 27. Their spiritual things—i. e. The blessings of the gospel, which was first preached to the Jews.—Carnal—i. e. temporal things. Ver. 28. Sealed to them—i. e. confirmed to them. Some suppose that