Romans 15

Romans 15:8

8. Now I say &c.] The Apostle, having proposed for the imitation of Christians the example of Christ, in receiving both Jew and Gentile to His favour, here declares how He received them both. As first, that He shewed His love and mercy to “the circumcision,” or the Jews, by exercising His ministry among them, according to the promises made by God to their patriarchs, ver. 8: then, secondly, that He was the Saviour also of the Gentiles, whom He called and received to mercy, according to numerous prophecies in the Old Testament, ver. 9—12. Burkitt, Dr. Whitby.

Romans 15:9

9. — I will confess to thee &c.] See Ps. xviii. 49: the following words, concerning “His king,” and “David, His Messiah, or Anointed,” are by the Jews interpreted of Christ: and so the preceding words are doubtless fully applied to Him. Dr. Whitby.

Romans 15:12

12. — to reign over the Gentiles:] See Isai. xi. 10. The Hebrew phrase, “for an ensign,” is rendered by the Greek translators ’to bear rule, or dominion:’ because the power of war, like the power of the sword, being a branch of imperial authority, which belongs to the prince alone, the “being for an ensign” is equivalent to ruling. The Apostle, according to his manner, makes use of the Greek translation. Dr. Hammond.

— in him shall the Gentiles trust.] Literally, ‘in Him shall the Gentiles hope:’ and so it follows in the next verse, “Now the God of hope,” &c. Dr. Wells. See the note on ver. 5.

Romans 15:14

14 And I myself also am persuaded &c.] The Apostle here in conclusion excuses himself for having written so largely and freely to the Church at Rome, believing, as he says, that they were able to instruct one another: however, he thought it fit to write to them, by virtue of his Apostolical office, and particularly of his commission as ambassador to the Gentiles. Burkitt.

— full of goodness, filled with all knowledge.] Full of virtue and charity, and perfectly know what is your Christian duty. Dr. Hammond.

Romans 15:15

15. — ministering the Gospel of God.] ‘Being em-

ployed in the sacred office of’ preaching or administering “the Gospel.” Parkhurst. Here is a plain allusion to the Jewish sacrifices, offered by the priest, and sanctified, or made acceptable by the salt offered with them. For the Apostle compares himself in the preaching of the Gospel to the priest, conversant about his sacrifice, to prepare and fit it to be offered. The Gentiles, dedicated by him to the service of God, are his sacrifice or oblation: the Holy Spirit is the salt poured on this sacrifice, by which they are sanctified, and rendered acceptable to God. See Numb. xv. 3—10. Dr. Whitby.

By representing the converted Gentiles as a most acceptable offering to God, the Apostle alludes to Isai. lxvi. 20. Dr. Macknight.

Romans 15:17

17. — through Jesus Christ] Through the assistance of Jesus Christ. Dr. Whitby.

— in those things which pertain to God.] As to the success which I have had in converting the Gentiles. Dr. Wells.

“Things which pertain to God;” offerings presented by the ministration of the priests, as appears from Heb. ii. 17, and v. 1; where the same phrase is so used. The figure of the priestly offering, alluded to in ver. 15, is still continued. The Gentiles are spoken of in the light of a sacrifice, offered by the Apostle to God. T. Edwards.

Romans 15:18

18. — which Christ hath not wrought by me.] But only of those which He hath, Dr. Whitby. Some such words as these are necessary to complete the sense. The Apostle would not speak of what Christ had wrought not by him, but by His disciples, for making the Gentiles obedient; though he might have claimed some praise 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 from Jerusalem, and round about in all the Gentile countries, as far as Illyricum. Dr. Macknight.

Romans 15:19

19. — from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum.] He excuseth his writing, and promiseth to see them. Anno DOMINI 60. g Ios. 22. 15. Or, many ways, or, oftentimes.

Romans 15:20

20. — not where Christ was named.] That is, preached by others before me. Dr. Whitby. Not where Christianity was already planted. Dr. Wells.

Romans 15:22

22. For which cause also I have been much hindered &c.] The Apostle considered the preaching of Christ, where He had not been named, the most needful work; he therefore declined going to Rome, where was a church already planted. But now, “having no more place in these parts,” ver. 23, that is, having no more churches to plant hereabouts, he signifies his resolution of visiting the Roman church. Burkitt.

Romans 15:24

24. — if first I be somewhat filled with your company.] When I have for some time enjoyed your company, and so in some measure satisfied my longing on that account. Dr. Wells.

Romans 15:25

25. — to minister unto the saints.] To distribute to the poor Christians there, the collection that has been made for them. Dr. Hammond.

Romans 15:26

26. — then of Macedonia and Achaia] That is, the brethren in those provinces, particularly at Philippi,

Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, and in every other city of these provinces, where churches were planted by the Apostle. Dr. Macknight.

Romans 15:27

27. It hath pleased them verily; &c.] Thus bountiful are they to them, and indeed well they may: for it was from Jerusalem that these Gentiles first received the Gospel; and, for such a spiritual and eternal blessing, they may well in return supply them with the necessary things of this present life. Pyle.

Romans 15:28

28. — have sealed to them this fruit.] Have delivered to them safely this fruit of the liberality of the Gentiles. Dr. Hammond.

Romans 15:29

29. — in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.] Or, with a full power of imparting to you the gifts of the Spirit in the most plentiful manner. See the note on chap. i. 11. Drs. Whitby and Wells.

Romans 15:30

30. — for the love of the Spirit.] Upon that obligation of Christian love, which Christ requires, and His Spirit works in your hearts. Dr. Hammond.

— that ye strive together with me in your prayers] That you will with great earnestness and fervency join your prayers to mine. Dr. Hammond.

Romans 15:31

31. — from them that do not believe in Judea:] The unbelieving Jews at Jerusalem had got notice of the Apostle’s success in converting the Gentiles, to whom he preached salvation without requiring them to obey 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. The Apostle, being well apprized of this, conceived himself to be in danger from their malice. Dr. Macknight.

— may be accepted of the saints:] That is, duly and kindly; although the contributions come from Gentile churches, against whom they are too apt to be unreasonably prejudiced. Pyle.