Romans 15

Romans 15:17-21

The apostle, in pursuance of his discourse, (1.) Directs the strong in faith to bear with the word, ver. 1-6. (2.) That all should receive one another as brethren, ver. 7-12. (3.) Draws to a conclusion of his epistle, ver. 13-33.

WE lent than any of the oblations that were ever made at the temple. 1 Phil. ii. 2. 2 Cor. ii. 3 Chap. i. 4. 4 Cor. iii. 5 Acts 6. 6 Col. 7. 7 Cor. iii. 12. 8 Cor. ii. 9 Col. ii. 10 Cor. ii.

17. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God. 18. For I will not dare to speak any of those things, which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; to that from Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20. Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation. 21. But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand.

Having mentioned his office, as the apostle of the Gentiles, he glorifies therein. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ, by whose grace I have been so supported, and who hath given such eminent success to my labours, in those things which pertain to God, wherein his glory is so greatly concerned, and as the conversion of the Gentiles to mighty exalted. On the words may be rendered, I have therefore a rejoicing in Christ concerning the things of God; that is, the Gentiles, who are desired up to him as living sacrifices, in which he felt the most unscrupulous satisfaction. For I will not dare to speak of any of these things which Christ hath not wrought by me; for he will arrogant beasts from me; nor would I ascribe the least honour to myself, but only to him whose efficacious grace, under my preaching, hath wrought powerfully, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed; shewing forth by an open confession, and a becoming conversation, the reality of their conversion to God, through mighty signs and wonders, which were wrought in confirmation of my divine mission, by the power of the Spirit of God, whose mighty influence gives energy and demonstration to the wind preached; so that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; diffusing with indefatigable labours the light of truth through Syria, Lesser Asia, and Greece; and keeping back nothing of the whole council of God concerning the free and perfect situation of sinners through the great Redeemer. Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named; but with a holy ambition I went rather to the places where he was wholly unknown, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation, and he thought to be inferior to those who went before, and to have borrowed my knowledge from them, and so should have wanted a signal proof of my doctrine and office, as immediately received from Christ himself. But as it is written, (Isa. 51. 15.) So hath it been fulfilled by my ministry; To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand: the Gentiles, who lay in darkness, utterly ignorant of the Messiah and his kingdom, shall see the light of life, and he made wise unto salvation. Note, Whatever success attends our labours, God must have all the glory, who alone greeth the increase.

1 Chap. i. 2 Cor. ii. 3 Cor. iii. 4 Acts 6. 5 Cor. ii. 6 Cor. iii. 7 Col. ii. 8 Phil. ii. 9 Chap. i.

22. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you: 24. Wherefore I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, it first I be somewhat filled with your company. 25. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 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 rarely, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28. When therefore I have performed this, and I have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 29. And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:22-29

St. Paul had travelled far, but he intended still to extend his labours to a wider circle, and visit Rome also, and the region beyond it.

1. He had long proposed to visit them, but his many avocations had hitherto prevented him. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you; but now having no more place in these parts, the gospel being fully preached, and Christian churches planned throughout the country between Jerusalem and Italy, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you, that I might impart to you some spiritual gift, and be com-

formed by you: whatsoever I take my journey into Spain, where I I purpose, God willing, to erect the gospel-standard, I will come to you, and take you in my way, for I trust to see you in my journey, and, according to the kind reception I have met in other churches, to be brought on my way thitherward by you, some of you going with me, and giving me such directions and sacrifices as may conduce to the success of the expedition; if first I be somewhat, or in part, filled with your company; enjoying the satisfaction of their conversation, rejoicing in their deadliestness, and raising a little of the sweetness of that communion of saints which he hoped in perfection to enjoy with them in heaven. Note, (1.) When duty detains us from those whose company we must delight in, we are ever cheerfully to forego our own pleasure, for the sake of our master’s service. (2.) All our purposes should be formed in subordination to Divine Providence. (3.) Christian fellowship is one of the greatest joys on earth, and a little foretake of what we expect, when we shall join the spirits of the just made perfect.

2. He at present was obliged to return to Jerusalem with the collections of the several churches for their poor brethren in Judea, who by pretension and the former were in great distress. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, to distribute among them the generous contributions of their Gentile brethren; for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them newly, that freely and liberally to contribute of their substance, and afford a noble example of Christian benevolence: and their debtor, they are; gratitude as well as charity required this at their hands. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, and have been called to share in those privileges that were long peculiar to the church of Israel, their duty is also, in return, to minister unto them in carnal things, (Numerator), honouring God by a conscientious and liberal supply of their wants.

3. When he had finished this work, he expresses his confidence that he shall come to them. When therefore I have performed my present journey and service, and have failed to them this fruit, careful that it be rendered up to them undiminished, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come to the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ; as a merchant vessel richly fraught, bringing with me the unstimable treasures of the gospel-word, for your most abundant education and comfort. Note, It is a happy meeting between a minister and his people, when he thus comes to them in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

4. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me: 31. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the saints: 32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. 33. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 15:30-33

Having declared to them his purposes, he intrates their prayers, that he may be able to accomplish it.

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, by every powerful argument which can be drawn from the grace which is in him, which I am, and whom I serve; and for the love of the Spirit, who visited your fools with his blessed influence; and as a proof of your being possessed of this divine principle, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; fervently and importantly joining me in my earnest cries to God, that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea, those most inventoried foes, his own infidel and wicked countrymen; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the saints; that all their prejudices against him and the Gentile converts might be removed, and this benevolence thankfully and cheerfully received, to the cementing a misery union between them. And also, that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, having found success in this ministry, if the Lord so pleased; and may with you be refreshed, in the enjoyment of your company, and the communication of our mutual happy experience. Note, in return for the favour I ask, may the God of peace be with you all, uniting your hearts in love to his blessed self, and to turn another, and filling you with all peace and prosperity in your lands. Amen. I pray that this may, and trust that it will, be your happy case. Note, (1.) We are bound to desire each other’s prayers, and should count these among the greatest obligations which can be conferred upon us. (2.) Our applications to a throne of grace must be fervent and agonizing, as becomes those who know the infallible value of the prize for which they wrestle.

CHAP.