_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:1. PAUL.—In Latin Paulus, and equals little. Chosen,
perhaps, for humility. Name of illustrious Roman family. Saul among
Jews. Afterwards Paul. Very common for Jews to accept a second name of
Greek origin bearing resemblance in sound. So Σαῦλος,
Παῦλος SERVANT.—Common word... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 1:2_
The gospel long promised.—A scheme long in preparation, the carrying
out of which seems long delayed, may be expected to be of great value
and importance. The scheme of the gospel was long in preparation to
human seeming. The prophetic utterances exten... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:3. TO THE FLESH.—σάρξ denotes a living being in
distinction from the dead, which is κρέας. It denotes also body
as distinguished from mind (Stuart). OUR LORD.—Supreme Ruler of the
Church.
Romans 1:4. DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD, ETC.—Endowed with power
by sending the Sp... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:7. GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE, ETC.—εἰρήνη, happiness of
every kind; peace with God and man. God first Christ’s Father and
then ours. Grace and peace are cause and effect.
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 1:7_
A graceful salutation.—The universality of this address... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:8. YOUR FAITH IS SPOKEN OF, ETC.—Rome frequented by
strangers, and so the faith of the Church easily made known.
κόσμω, the beautiful order of the visible world.
Romans 1:10. MAKING REQUEST, IF BY ANY MEANS, ETC.—Grotius happily
renders: “Si forte Dei voluntas felicitatem... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:16. THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION.—In and by the gospel
God shows and exerts moral power. The best equivalent for “unto”
is “for.” It signifies direction. The Greek word used for mental
and carnal direction. Gospel, from the old Gothic _guth_, good, and
_spillon_, to ann... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:18. THE WRATH OF GOD.—ὀργὴ Θεοῦ, God’s
displeasure. The phrase is plainly anthropopathic. May express a
particular instance of displeasure.
Romans 1:19. THAT WHICH MAY BE KNOWN OF GOD.—That concerning God
which is knowable. St. Basil called the natural world a school of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Romans 1:22.—Here begins a dark picture of heathenism, but fully
verified from the writings of what has been called the most brilliant
age of the most intellectual nations of the world. St. Paul traces
man’s downward progress. Evolution, but in the wrong direction.
According to the... [ Continue Reading ]