_PAUL WILLETH THE BRETHREN TO GREET MANY; AND ADVISETH THEM TO TAKE HEED OF THOSE WHO CAUSE DISSENSION AND OFFENCES; AND, AFTER SUNDRY SALUTATIONS, ENDETH WITH PRAISE AND THANKS._ _Anno Domini 58._ PHEBE, a deaconess of the church of Cenchrea, having occasion to go to Rome about some important af... [ Continue Reading ]
I COMMEND UNTO YOU, &C.— This chapter consists chiefly of salutations. Throughout the whole Epistle the Apostle has demonstrated his affectionate regards to the whole society of Christians at Rome. But it was still more engaging to take a friendly notice of the principal persons by name, adding to s... [ Continue Reading ]
GREET PRISCILLA AND AQUILA— This excellent couple appear by this passage to have returned to Rome on the ceasing of that edict against the Jews, which had driven them thence in the reign of Claudius; Acts 18:2. Priscilla seems to have been a woman of great note, and probably of distinguished genius... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THE FIRST-FRUITS OF ACHAIA— It is probable that _Epenetus_ might be converted at the same time with Stephanas, called also the _first-fruits of Achaia;_ 1 Corinthians 16:15 for there is no manner of necessity to understand by that expression the veryfirst Christian convert. Epenetus possibly... [ Continue Reading ]
ANDRONICUS AND JUNIA— Or, _Junias._ Diodati thinks that by _apostles_ in this verse are meant the evangelists; and that the meaning is, that these persons were noted messengers of the churches; but it is more probable that they were some early converts, who had been known and much esteemed by the ap... [ Continue Reading ]
THEM—OF ARISTOBULUS' HOUSEHOLD— There is no certain evidence that either _Aristobulus,_ or _Narcissus,_ Romans 16:11 were Christians. It seems most probable that they were persons of high rank, who had each a large family of slaves or domestics; some of whom being Christian converts, the Apostle wou... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LORD— From this and the following verse we may observe, that when the whole family was converted, the Apostle writes to the church _in such a house;_ when not, the salutation is directed to as many as were _in the Lord_ in that fami... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HIS MOTHER AND MINE— Hence some have thought, that Rufus was at least half-brother to St. Paul; but perhaps he might in this expression refer to the maternal care which this good woman had taken of him.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE SAINTS, &C.— Dr. Calvin and many others observe, as before hinted, that had St. _Peter_ been now at Rome, he would undoubtedly have been named, since no one in this numerous catalogue was of a dignity and eminence by any means comparable to him;—and yet if he were not there at this time,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FAIR SPEECHES— 'Ευλογιας, _flattering forms of address._ We hence learn what were the weapons which these false apostles opposed to the miracles of the true. See Titus 1:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BRUISE SATAN, &C.— _Satan_ is here put for _his instruments;—_the troublers of the church's peace. See 2 Corinthians 11:15. "God shall break the force and attempts of Satan upon your peace, by those his instruments, who would engage you in quarrels and discords." See Locke. At the same time, t... [ Continue Reading ]
I TERTIUS, WHO WROTE THIS EPISTLE, &C.— It was the general custom of those times to dictate to an amanuensis;—especially with men of learningand business. An anonymous critic would read this verse, _I Tertius, who wrote this Epistle, for the glory of the Lord, salute you._ It seems that Tertius, who... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD, &C.— All the other epistles of St. Paul end with a similar benediction. When St. Paul says _my Gospel,_ Romans 16:25 he cannot be supposed, says Mr. Locke, to have used such an expression, unless he knew that what he preached had something in it which distinguished it from wha... [ Continue Reading ]