The Epistle concludes with various salutations. The “names” which occur in this chapter are chiefly “Greek;” and the persons designated had been probably inhabitants of Greece, but had removed to Rome for purposes of commerce, etc. Possibly some of them had been converted under the ministry of the a... [ Continue Reading ]
I COMMEND - It was common then, as now, to bear letters of introduction to strangers, commending the person thus introduced to the favorable regards and attentions of those to whom the letters were addressed; 2 Corinthians 3:1; Acts 18:27. This Epistle, with the apostle’s commendation, was designed... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE RECEIVE HER ... - That you acknowledge her as being in the Lord, or as being a servant of the Lord; that is, as a Christian; compare Romans 14:3; Philippians 2:29. AS BECOMETH SAINTS - As it is proper that Christians should treat their brethren. SHE HATH BEEN A SUCCOURER OF MANY - The word... [ Continue Reading ]
GREET PRISCILLA AND AQUILA - Salute; implying the apostle’s kind remembrance of them, and his wishes for their welfare. PRISCILLA - Priscilla was the wife of Aquila. They are mentioned in Acts 18:2, Act 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19. Paul at first found them at Corinth. Aquila was a Jew, born in Pontus... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HAVE FOR MY LIFE - In order to save my life. LAID DOWN THEIR OWN NECKS - To “lay down the neck” is to lay the head on a block to be cut off with the axe; or to bow down the head as when the neck was exposed to be cut off by the sword of the executioner. The meaning is, that they had hazarded th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE - Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned Acts 18:26 as having received “Apollos” into their family, to instruct him more perfectly. The church in their house is also mentioned 1 Corinthians 16:19. This may mean either the church that was accustomed to assemble for worsh... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO BESTOWED MUCH LABOUR ON US - Who labored much for us. Nothing more is known of her but this honorable mention of her name. It is probable that these persons were formerly residents in Greece, and that the apostle had there become acquainted with them, but that they had now removed to Rome.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY KINSMEN - In Romans 9:3, the apostle calls “all” the Jews “his kinsmen,” and it has been doubted whether he means anything more here than that they were “fellow Jews.” But as many others who were Jews are mentioned here without this appellation, and as he especially designates these persons, and... [ Continue Reading ]
APPROVED IN CHRIST - An approved or tried Christian; approved and beloved by Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
TRYPHENA AND TRYPHOSA - These names, with the participle rendered “who labor,” are in the feminine gender, and these were probably two holy women, who performed the function of deaconesses, or who ministered to the sick, and who with Persia, thus by example, and perhaps by instruction, labored to pr... [ Continue Reading ]
CHOSEN IN THE LORD - “Elect” in the Lord; that is, a chosen follower of Christ. AND HIS MOTHER AND MINE - “His mother in a literal sense, and mine in a figurative one.” An instance of the delicacy and tenderness of Paul; of his love for this disciple and his mother, as if he were of the same family... [ Continue Reading ]
SALUTE ONE ANOTHER - Greet one another in an affectionate mannner; that is, treat each other with kindness and love, and evince all proper marks of affection. WITH AN HOLY KISS - This mode of salutation has been practiced at all times; and particularly in eastern nations. It was even practiced by “... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I BESEECH YOU - One great object of this Epistle had been to promote “peace” between the Jewish and Gentile converts. So much did this subject press upon the mind of the apostle, that he seems unwilling so leave it. He returns to it again and again; and even after the Epistle is apparently concl... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVE NOT - Obey not. Though they are professedly, yet they are not his real friends and followers. BUT THEIR OWN BELLY - Their own “lusts;” their own private interests; they do this to obtain support. The authors of parties and divisions, in church and state, have this usually in view. It is for t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE ... - Romans 1:8. Your mild, obedient disposition to learn, and to obey the precepts of the teachers of religion. I AM GLAD ... - I rejoice that you evince such a disposition. But he immediately adds, that “this” was just the temper to be imposed upon, and cautions them against t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE GOD OF PEACE - The God who promotes peace; Romans 15:33. WILL BRUISE - The “language” here refers to the prediction in Genesis 3:15. It here means to “subdue, to gain the victory over.” It denotes Paul’s confidence that they “would” gain the victory, and would be able to overcome all the ar... [ Continue Reading ]
TIMOTHEUS - Timothy; to whom the Epistles which bear his name were written. He was long the companion of Paul in his labors; Act 16:1; 1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:19; Philippians 2:29; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; Hebrews 13:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
I TERTIUS - Of Tertius nothing more is known than is mentioned here. WHO WROTE THIS - It is evident that Paul employed an amanuensis to write this Epistle, and perhaps he commonly did it. Tertius, who thus wrote it, joins with the apostle in affectionate salutations to the brethren at Rome. To the... [ Continue Reading ]
GAIUS MINE HOST - Who has received me into his house, and shown me hospitality. The word “host” means one who entertains another at his own house without reward. AND OF THE WHOLE CHURCH - Who has opened his house to entertain “all” Christians; or to show hospitality to them all. He was baptized by... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW TO HIM - This and the two following verses are found in many manuscripts at the close of Romans 14. Its proper place, however, is here; and the apostle thus concludes the whole Epistle with an ascription of praise. TO HIM ... - To God; be glory; Romans 16:20. IS OF POWER - Greek, Is able; who... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST - Is revealed, or made known; that which was so long concealed is now divulged, that is, God’s plan of saving people is now made known to all nations. AND BY THE SCRIPTURES ... - By the “writings” of the prophets. The prophetic writings contained the doctrines, obscurely ind... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GOD ONLY WISE - The apostle here resumes the doxology which had been interrupted by the parenthesis. The attribute of “wisdom” is here brought into view, because it had been particularly displayed in this plan which was now revealed. It evinced, in an eminent degree, the “wisdom” of God. That wis... [ Continue Reading ]