Page images
PDF
EPUB

TEXT.

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 of 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; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.

20 Yea, 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.

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;

PARAPHRASE.

17 I have, therefore, matter of glorying, through Jesus Christ, 18 as to those things that pertain to God. For I shall not venture to trouble you with any concerning myself, but only what Christ hath wrought by me for the bringing of the Gentiles to Christianity, both in profession and practice, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that from Jerusalem and the neighbouring countries, all along quite to Illyricum, I have effectually preached 20 the Gospel of Christ; But so as studiously to avoid the carrying of it to those places where it was already planted, and where the people were already Christians, lest I should build 21 upon another man's foundations. But as it is written d, "To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see; and they 22 that have not heard shall understand." This has often 23 hindered me from coming to you: But now having in these parts no place, where Christ hath not been heard of, to preach the Gospel in, and having had, for these many years, a desire

NOTES.

17 ο Τα προς Θεον, " Things that pertain to God." The same phrase we have Heb. v. 1, where it signifies the things that were offered to God in the templeministration. St. Paul, by way of allusion, speaks of the Gentiles, in the foregoing verse, as an offering to be made to God, and of himself as the priest, by whom the sacrifice, or offering, was to be prepared and offered; and then here he tells them that he had matter of glorying in this offering, i. that he had had success in converting the Gentiles, and bringing them to be a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice to God, an account whereof he gives them in the four following verses.

20 See 1 Cor. lii. 10. 2 Cor. x. 16.

21 d Isai. lii. 15.

e.

TEXT.

24 Whensoever 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, if 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 verily; 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 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.

30 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;

PARAPHRASE.

24 to come to you: I will, when I take my journey to Spain take you in my way; for I hope then to see you, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, when I have, for some time, enjoyed your company, and pretty well satisfied 25 my longing on that account. But, at present, I am setting 26 out for Jerusalem, going to minister to the saints there. For

it hath pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a 27 contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them to do so, and they are indeed their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they are bound, on their side, to minister to them,

28 for the support of this temporal life. When, therefore, I have despatched this business, and put this fruit of my labours into their hands, I will come to you in my way to Spain. 29 And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall bring with me to you full satisfaction, concerning the blessedness which 30 you receive by the Gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love which comes from the Spirit of God, to join with me in earnest 31 prayers to God for me, That I may be delivered from the

NOTE.

29 He may be understood to mean here, that he should be able to satisfy them, that by the Gospel the forgiveness of sins was to be obtained. For that he shows, chap. iv. 6-9. And they had as much title to it, by the Gospel, as the Jews themselves; which was the thing he had been making out to them, in this epistle.

TEXT.

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.

PARAPHRASE.

unbelievers in Judea; and that the service I am doing the 32 saints there may be acceptable to them: That, if it be the will of God, I may come to you with joy, and may be re33 freshed together with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

SECTION XV.

CHAPTER XVI. 1-27,

CONTENTS.

THE foregoing epistle furnishes us with reasons to conclude that the divisions and offences that were in the Romau church, were between the Jewish and Gentile converts, whilst the one, over-zealous for the rituals of the law, endeavoured to impose circumcision and other Mosaical rites, as necessary to be observed by all that professed Christianity; and the other, without due regard to the weakness of the Jews, showed a too open neglect of those their observances, which were of so great account with them, St. Paul was so sensible, how much the churches of Christ suffered, on this occasion, and so careful to prevent this, which was a disturbance almost every where (as may be seen in the history of the Acts, and collected out of the epistles) that, after he had finished his discourse to them, (which we may observe solemnly closed, in the end of the foregoing chapter) he here, in the middle of his salutations, cannot forbear to caution them against the authors and fomenters of these divisions, and that very pathetically, ver. 17-20. All the rest of this chapter is spent, almost wholly, in salutations. Only the four last verses contain a conclusion, after St. Paul's manner.

TEXT.

1 I commend unto you Phœbe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Kenchrea:

2 That ye receive her, in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her, in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and myself also.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus:

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 house. Salute my well beloved Epænetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow-prisoners, who are

of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

10 Salute Apelles, approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11 Salute Herodian, my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

PARAPHRASE,

1 I commend to you Phœbe, our sister, who is a servant of the 2 church which is at Kenchrea, That you receive her, for Christ's sake, as becomes Christians, and that you assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for she has assisted b 3 many, and me in particular. Salute Priscilla and Aquila, my 4 fellow-labourers in the Gospel, (Who have, for my life, exposed their own to danger, unto whom not only I give thanks, 5 but also all the churches of the Gentiles.) Greet also the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epæ6 netus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet 7 Mary, who took a great deal of pains for our sakes. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were Christians be8 fore me. Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Salute 9 Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles, approved in Christ. Salute those who are of 11 the household of Aristobulus. Salute Herodian, my kinsman.

NOTES.

1 Kenchrea was the port to Corinth.

2 * Προσατις, " succourer," seems here to signify hostess, not in a common inn, for there was no such thing as our inns in that country; but one whose house was the place of lodging and entertainment of those who were received by the church as their guests, and these she took care of. And to that opoς ατις may be very well applied. But whether St. Paul was induced to make use of it here, as somewhat corresponding to φαροςητε, which he used in her behalf just before, in this verse, I leave to those who nicely observe St. Paul's style.

TEXT.

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the be

loved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13 Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the breth

ren which are with them.

15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them 18 For they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good; and simple concerning evil.

PARAPHRASE.

Salute all those of the household of Narcissus, who have em12 braced the Gospel. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who take pains in the Gospel. Salute the beloved Persis, who laboured 13 much in the Lord. Salute Rufus, chosen or selected to be a 14 disciple of the Lord; and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren 15 who are with them. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, 18 and avoid them. For they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, and by good words and fair speeches, insinuating themselves, deceive well-meaning, simple men.

19 Your conversion and ready compliance with the doctrine of the Gospel, when it was brought to you, is known in the worldd, and generally talked of: I am glad, for your sakes, that you so forwardly obeyed the Gospel. But give me leave to advise you to be wise and cautious in preserving yourselves steady in what is wise and good; but employ no thought, or skill, how to circumvent or injure another: be in this re

NOTES.

18 Such as these we have a description of, Tit. i. 10, 11. 19 See chap. i. 8.

• A direction much like this you have, 1 Cor. xiv. 20, and Eph. iv. 13-15.

« PreviousContinue »