1._We then who are strong, etc. _Lest they who had made more advances than others in the knowledge of God should think it unreasonable, that more burden was to be laid on them than on others, he shows for what purpose this strength, by which they excelled others, was bestowed on them, even that they... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Let indeed _(438) _every one of us, etc. _He teaches us here, that we are under obligations to others, and that it is therefore our duty to please and to serve them, and that there is no exception in which we ought not to accommodate ourselves to our brethren when we can do so, according to God’s... [ Continue Reading ]
3._For even Christ pleased not himself, etc. _Since it is not right that a servant should refuse what his lord has himself undertaken, it would be very strange in us to wish an exemption from the duty of bearing the infirmities of others, to which Christ, in whom we glory as our Lord and King, submi... [ Continue Reading ]
4._For whatsoever things, etc. _This is an application of the example, lest any one should think, that to exhort us to imitate Christ was foreign to his purpose; “Nay,” he says, “there is nothing in Scripture which is not useful for your instruction, and for the direction of your life.” (440) This i... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And the God of patience, etc. _God is so called from what he produces; the same thing has been before very fitly ascribed to the Scriptures, but in a different sense: God alone is doubtless the author of patience and of consolation; for he conveys both to our hearts by his Spirit: yet he employs... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Receive ye then, etc. _He returns to exhortation; and to strengthen this he still retains the example of Christ. For he, having received, not one or two of us, but all together, has thus connected us, so that we ought to cherish one another, if we would indeed continue in his bosom. Only thus the... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Now I say, that Jesus Christ, etc. _He now shows that Christ has embraced us all, so that he leaves no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles, except that in the first place he was promised to the Jewish nation, and was in a manner peculiarly destined for them, before he was revealed to the... [ Continue Reading ]
9._The Gentiles also, _(446) _etc. _This is the second point, on proving which he dwells longer, because it was not so evident. The first testimony he quotes is taken from Psalms 18:0; which psalm is recorded also in 2 Samuel 22:0, where no doubt a prophecy is mentioned concerning the kingdom of Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
10_Exult, ye Gentiles, with his people _This verse is commonly considered as if it was taken from the song of Moses; but with this I cannot agree; for Moses’ design there was to terrify the adversaries of Israel by setting forth his greatness, rather than to invite them to a common joy. I hence thin... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Praise God, all ye Gentiles, etc. _This passage is not inaptly applied; for how can they, who know not God’s greatness, praise him? They could no more do this than to call on his name, when unknown. It is then a prophecy most suitable to prove the calling of the Gentiles; and this appears still... [ Continue Reading ]
12._And again, Isaiah, etc., _This prophecy is the most illustrious of them all: for in that passage, the Prophet, when things were almost past hope, comforted the small remnant of the faithful, even by this, — that there would arise a shoot from the dry and the dying trunk of David’s family, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
13._And may the God, etc. _He now concludes the passage, as before, with prayer; in which he desires the Lord to give them whatever he had commanded. It hence appears, that the Lord does in no degree measure his precepts according to our strength or the power of free-will; and that he does not comma... [ Continue Reading ]
14._But even I myself am persuaded, etc. _This was said to anticipate an objection, or it may be deemed a kind of concession, made with the view of pacifying the Romans; in case they thought themselves reproved by so many and so urgent admonitions, and thus unjustly treated. He then makes an excuse... [ Continue Reading ]
15._The more boldly, however, have I written to you, etc. _The excuse follows, and in adducing this, that he might more fully show his modesty, he says, by way of concession, that he acted boldly in interposing in a matter which they themselves were able to do; but he adds that he was led to be thus... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Consecrating the gospel, etc. _This rendering I prefer to that which [Erasmus ] in the first place adopts, that is, “Administering;” for nothing is more certain than that Paul here alludes to the holy mysteries which were performed by the priest. He then makes himself a chief priest or a priest... [ Continue Reading ]
17._I have then, etc. _After having in general commended his own calling, that the Romans might know that he was a true and undoubted apostle of Christ, he now adds testimonies, by which he proved that he had not only taken upon him the apostolic office conferred on him by God’s appointment, but tha... [ Continue Reading ]
18._In order to make the Gentiles obedient, etc. _These words prove what his object was, even to render his ministry approved by the Romans, that his doctrine might not be without fruit. He proves then by evidences that God by the presence of his power had given a testimony to his preaching, and in... [ Continue Reading ]
19._So that from Jerusalem, etc. _He joins also a testimony from the effect; for the success which followed his preaching exceeded all the thoughts of men. For who could have gathered so many churches for Christ, without being aided by the power of God? “FromJerusalem,” he says, “I have propagated t... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Thus striving to preach the gospel, etc. _As it was necessary for Paul not only to prove himself to be the servant of Christ and a pastor of the Christian Church, but also to show his title to the character and office of an Apostle, that he might gain the attention of the Romans, he mentions her... [ Continue Reading ]
21._But as it is written, etc. _He confirms by the testimony of Isaiah what he had said of the _evidence _of his apostleship; for in Isaiah 52:15, speaking of the kingdom of Messiah, among other things he predicts, that the knowledge of Christ would be spread among the Gentiles throughout the whole... [ Continue Reading ]
22._And on this account, etc. _What he had said of his apostleship he applies now to another point, even for the purpose of excusing himself for not having come to them, though he was destined for them as well as for others. He, in passing, then intimates, that in propagating the gospel from Judea a... [ Continue Reading ]
24._For I hope, etc. _He refers to the reason why he had for a long time wished to come to them, and now intended to do so, — even that he might see them, enjoy an interview and an intercourse with them, and make himself known to them in his official character; for by the coming of the Apostles the... [ Continue Reading ]
25._But I am going now, etc. _Lest they should expect his immediate coming, and think themselves deceived, if he had not come according to their expectation, he declares to them what business he had then in hand, which prevented him from going soon to them, and that was, — that he was going to Jerus... [ Continue Reading ]
27._And their debtors they are, etc. _Every one perceives, that what is said here of obligation, is said not so much for the sake of the Corinthians as for the Romans themselves; for the Corinthians or the Macedonians were not more indebted to the Jews than the Romans. And he adds the ground of this... [ Continue Reading ]
28._And sealed to them this fruit, etc. _I disapprove not of what some think, that there is here an allusion to a practice among the ancients, who closed up with their seals what they intended to lay up in safety. Thus Paul commends his own faithfulness and integrity; as though he had said, that he... [ Continue Reading ]
29._And I know, that when I come, etc. _These words may be explained in two ways: the first meaning is, — that he should find a plentiful fruit from the gospel at Rome; for the blessing of the gospel is, when it fructifies by good works: but to confine this to alms, as some do, is not what I approve... [ Continue Reading ]
30._Now I beseech you, etc. _It is well known from many passages how much ill-will prevailed against Paul in his own nation on account of false reports, as though he taught a departure from Moses. He knew how much calumnies might avail to oppress the innocent, especially among those who are carried... [ Continue Reading ]
31._That my ministration, etc. _Slanderers had so prevailed by their accusations, that he even feared that the present would hardly be acceptable, as coming from his hands, which otherwise, under such a distress, would have been very seasonable. And hence appears his wonderful meekness, for he cease... [ Continue Reading ]