Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things, &c. St Paul takes occasion from his last quotation to state a great principle; namely, that the O. T. was throughout designed for the instruction and establishment of N. T. believers. "Our," just below, is emphatic.

On the principle, cp. 2 Timothy 3:15-17. It is almost needless to remark on the witness borne to the O. T. in such passages as this.

aforetime Before ourtime; under the Elder Dispensation.

learning i.e. teaching. Cp. Prayer-Book Version of Psalms 25:8; "them shall He learnHis way;" and the present use of "learnèd" as an adjective.

through patience, &c. Lit. through the patience and the comfort of the Scriptures may have the hope. "The hope" is not hope in general, but the special hope of glory through Christ. (ch. Romans 5:2) "The patience, &c. of the Scriptures" is the patience and comfort taught by the Scriptures, whether in precept or example. Here, for instance, the Lord's blessed "patience," His unwearied bearing of the burthen He had undertaken, forms, both in itself and as an example, a part of the "comfort" of His followers. (Cp. 1Pe 2:19-21; 1 Peter 4:13.) It cheers them on to tread in His track; to "gird up the loins of their mind;" to "hopeto the end."

On the word "patience," see on ch. Romans 5:3.