Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called _to be_ an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Ver. 1. _Paul_] A little man, it should seem by his name (such as was James the Less, Mar 15:40): but as the Church of Philadelphia (discommended for nothing), though she had but a little strength, yet had... [ Continue Reading ]
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Ver. 2. _Promised_] Foreshowed and foreshadowed in the types of the ceremonial law (which was their gospel, it was Christ in figure), and in the writings of the prophets; only by degrees and piecemeal, πολυμερως. God spake of o... [ Continue Reading ]
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; Ver. 3. _Concerning his Son_] Here is a lofty and lively description of Christ's sacred person. The whole Epistle being the confession of our Churches, as Melancthon calleth it, who therefore went... [ Continue Reading ]
And declared _to be_ the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Ver. 4. _Declared to be, &c._] Gr. ορισθεντος, defined; for definitions explain obscurities. _ With power_] For, _Superas evadere ad auras, Hic labor, hoc opus est_ -a work befit... [ Continue Reading ]
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Ver. 5. _For obedience to the faith_] That is, to the gospel (that doctrine of faith), or to Christ, who is often put for faith (whereof he is the proper object) in this Epistle. "Kiss the So... [ Continue Reading ]
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: Ver. 6. _Ye are the called_] With a high and heavenly calling,Hebrews 3:1. _See Trapp on "_ Heb 3:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called _to be_ saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 7. _Called to be saints_] Those then that are called, are saints while alive, and not only those that are canonized by the pope after they are dead _in numerum... [ Continue Reading ]
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Ver. 8. _Your faith is spoken of_] See Romans 16:26, and Juvenal, Tacitus, and other profane writers, who bitterly exagitate the doctrines and practices of those Roman Christians. Now th... [ Continue Reading ]
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Ver. 9. _Whom I serve in my spirit_] That is, with all the faculties of my soul concentred and co-united.... [ Continue Reading ]
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. Ver. 10. _I might have a prosperous journey_] This he prayed, and this he had by such a way as he little dreamed of. Little thought Paul, that when he was bound at Jerusalem, and pos... [ Continue Reading ]
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Ver. 11. _That I may impart_] There is no envy in spiritual things, because they may be divided _in solidum; _ one may have as much as another, and all alike. _Scientiarum (sic et gratiavum) ea... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Ver. 12. _That I may be comforted_] Or, exhorted, _Ad communem exhortationem percipiendam, _ saith Beza out of Bucer, and others. The meanest of Christ's members may contribute somewhat to the edifying even o... [ Continue Reading ]
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. Ver. 13. _But was let hitherto_] Either by Satan,1 Thessalonians 2:18; or by the Holy Spirit otherwise disposi... [ Continue Reading ]
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. Ver. 14. _I am debtor_] Because intrusted with talents for that purpose, 1 Corinthians 9:16. _See Trapp on "_ 1Co 9:16 _"_ It might more truly be said of Paul than it was of Cato, that he did- _toti natum se... [ Continue Reading ]
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Ver. 15. _So as much_] _Quicquid in me situm est, promptum est._ A notable expression.... [ Continue Reading ]
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Ver. 16. _For I am not ashamed_] As men are apt to be; whence that fatherly charge,2 Timothy 1:8. Do ye think (said John Frith, martyr, to th... [ Continue Reading ]
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Ver. 17. _The just shall live by faith_] Habakkuk 2:4, that is, they shall enjoy themselves by their faith, in greatest disasters or dangers, when others are at their wits' ends. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Ver. 18. _Who hold the truth_] Hold the light of their conscience (which is as a prophet from God) prisoner. The natural man, that he may sin the more securely, im... [ Continue Reading ]
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed _it_ unto them. Ver. 19. _Because that which may_] Heathens might know God the Creator, per species creaturarum (as they speak), either in way of negation, or causality, or eminence: not so God tile Redeemer.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, _even_ his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Ver. 20. _Are clearly seen_] Pervidentur. As in a mirror, or as on a theatre. _Ut solem in aquis, sic... [ Continue Reading ]
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified _him_ not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Ver. 21. _Neither were thankful_] How then shall we answer to God our hateful unthankfulness, which is (saith one) "a monster in nat... [ Continue Reading ]
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Ver. 22. _Professing themselves to be wise_] Aristotle, nature's chief secretary, writeth many things most absurdly concerning God; as, that he is a living creature, that he worketh not freely, but by a kind of servile necessity; and that therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Ver. 23. _Made like to corruptible man_] God made man in his own image; and man (to be even with him, as it were) will needs make God after his image.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Ver. 24. _Gave them up to uncleanness_] Aristotle confesseth the disability of moral knowledge to rectify the intemperance of nature; and made it good in his pract... [ Continue Reading ]
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Ver. 25. _Who changed_] They tare out their natural principles and turned atheists, as Diagoras, who yet was an atheist more with his tongue than with his heart; for... [ Continue Reading ]
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Ver. 26. _Into that which is against nature_] So against nature, that children (natures end) and posterity is utterly lost by it. Paul seems to point here at Mess... [ Continue Reading ]
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Ver. 27. _Leaving the natural_] As at this day in the Levant, sodomy is h... [ Continue Reading ]
And even as they did not like to retain God in _their_ knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Ver. 28. _To a reprobate mind_] Or, an injudicious mind; or, a mind rejected, disallowed, abhorred of God; or a mind that none hath cause to glory i... [ Continue Reading ]
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Ver. 29. _With all unrighteousness_] The mother of all the ensuing misrule. _ Wickedness_] The Syrian saith, "bitterness." SeeJeremiah 2:19. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Ver. 30. _Haters of God_] And so God-murderers,1 John 3:15. _See Trapp on "_ 1Jn 3:15 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Ver. 31. _Implacable_] That will not hear of a truce, much less of a peace. _Nihil se libentius facere dictitabat Caesar, quam supplicibus ignoscere._ (Caesar. Comment.) And surely, as any one is more manly,... [ Continue Reading ]
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Ver. 32. _Have pleasure_] Or they patronize, applaud, and approve, συνευδοκουσι this is set last, as worst of all; it comprehends all kinds of conse... [ Continue Reading ]