THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
ROMANS

Romans 15

1We ought, in condescension to the weak, to give up our own will for our neighbour's good, after the example of Christ. 4The intent of the scriptures. 5Paul prayeth for unanimity among Christians, 7exhorteth to receive one the other, as Christ did all, both Jews and Gentiles; 13and wisheth them all joy, peace, and hope. 14He apologiseth for his freedom in admonishing them, as he was the apostle of the Gentiles; 17and sheweth the success and extensiveness of his labours. 22He excuseth his not coming to them before, and promiseth them a visit on his return from Jerusalem. 30He requesteth their prayers.


1WE1 thena2that are strong 3ought 4to bear 5the infirmities 6of the weak, and not to please 7ourselves.

1 The apostle includes himself also, so that the exhortation may be the more powerful.

a 1 Cor. 9:22; Gal. 6:1.

2 Namely, in faith and the knowledge of christian doctrine, especially of christian liberty.

3 Or, are engaged, bound, namely, for the reasons which Paul hereafter shall declare.

4 That is, to endure, as a burden to take it from them, and to help them to bear it. See Gal. 6:1, 2.

5 That is, the ignorance and errors which through weakness are yet in them, especially in this point of doctrine.

6 That is, of the impotent. See Rom. 14:1.

7 That is, follow our fancies, or seek our own ease and profit, indulge ourselves.

2Let 8every one of us please his 9neighbour for his 10good 11to edification.

8 Namely, whosoever he be. No one is here excluded.

9 Much more than his weak brother.

10 Or, in good, that is, in things that are not evil; or, for the good, benefit, and salvation of his neighbor.

11 See Rom. 14:19.

3For even 12Christ pleased not 13himself; 14but, as it is written, 15Theb reproaches of them that reproached thee 16fell on me.

12 The example of Christ ought to prevail much with Christians, as being a rule according to which they ought to frame their lives, John 13:15, 34; Philip. 2:5, and it would be great shame for them that they would do otherwise than He has shown and taught them.

13 That is, He sought not His own comfort, honor or profit, Mat. 20:28.

14 Namely, He has so carried Himself; or, it has happened unto Him.

15 That is, the sins, whereby men cast reproach upon God, or all manner of contempt and injury of the ungodly.

b Psalm 69:9; Isa. 53:4, 5.

16 That is, I have taken upon Me, or, are laid upon Me to expiate them. David speaks here as a type of the Messiah and prophesying of Him, Who took our sins upon Him to satisfy for the same; Isa. 53:4, 5; 2 Cor. 5:21. Therefore, seeing it appears from thence that Christ did not seek His own comfort and benefit, but ours; and did so much for our sakes, so ought we in like manner to seek the good of our neighbor, and to do all that is beneficial to his salvation. See Philip. 2:5, 6, 7, 8; 1 John 3:16.

4Forc whatsoever things were written 17aforetime were written for our 18learning, that we through patience and comfort of the 19scriptures might have 20hope.

c Rom. 4:23, 24.

17 Namely, in the Scriptures of the Old Testament; which may now also be said of the writings of the New.

18 Or, instruction, namely, in matters which concern our eternal salvation. See John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16.

19 That is, which are obtained by reading, hearing, and meditating the Scriptures.

20 Namely, that we shall certainly obtain salvation by Christ.

5Now the God 21of patience and consolation grant you tod be 22likeminded one toward another 23according to Christ Jesus:

21 Who works the same in us by means of the Holy Scripture, verse 4.

d Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; Philip. 2:2; 3:16; 1 Peter 3:8.

22 Namely, in opinions concerning the true doctrine, and in good inclinations of the heart one to another. See Rom. 12:16.

23 That is, according to the orthodox doctrine of Christ. Or, after the example of Christ Jesus.

6That ye may with 24one mind and one mouth glorify God, even 25the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Gr. unanimously, that is, with one heart and soul, Acts 4:32.

25 That is, God, Who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph. 1:3, 17.

7Wherefore 26receive ye 27one another, 28as Christ also 29received us 30to the glory of God.

26 See Rom. 14:1, 3.

27 That is, the strong as well as the weak, the weak as the strong; accounting one another for brethren, and brotherly treating one another in love and peace.

28 That is, after the example of Christ.

29 Namely, so that He even died the death for us.

30 That is, to make us partakers of the glory of God. Or, that thereby the glory of God might be declared.

831Now I say that Jesus Christ was a 32minister of the circumcision 33for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made 34unto the fathers:

31 Here he declares more at large how Christ received both Jews and Gentiles, thereby to admonish both of them, that they must also so receive one another.

32 That is, of the Jews, who are circumcised, Rom. 4:12, to whom He, being Lord over all, as a Minister proclaimed the way of salvation; and exercised His ministry amongst them alone, Mat. 15:24, and 20:28.

33 Namely, so that this would not be injured; but that God might be found true in His promises.

34 That is, which were formerly made to the fathers in the Old Testament. See 2 Cor. 1:20.

9And that 35the Gentiles might 36glorify God 37for his mercy; 38as it is written, Fore this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

35 Here he proves the second part, namely, that Christ has also received the Gentiles; according to God’s promises and engagements in the Old Testament.

36 That is, being brought to the knowledge of the true God and to faith, might praise, honor and serve Him, and finally be also partakers of His glory.

37 Or, by reason of the mercy, or for the mercy, namely, which is shown of mere grace to them also, as was done to the Jews, Deut. 7:7, 8.

38 In all these places, which are here produced for proof out of the Old Testament, the word Gentiles must chiefly be taken notice off. See the expositions at each place.

e 2 Sam. 22:50; Psalm 18:49.

10And again he saith, Rejoice,f ye Gentiles, with his people.

f Deut. 32:43.

11And again, Praiseg the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laudh him, all ye people.

g Psalm 117:1.

h praise.

12And again, Esaias saith, Therei shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

i Isa. 11:10; Rev. 5:5; 22:16.

13Now the God 39of hope fill you 40with all joy and peace 41in believing, that ye may abound in hope, 42through the power of the Holy Ghost.

39 That is, in Whom one must hope, 1 Tim. 6:17, and Who works hope in us by His promises and Spirit, 1 Peter 1:3.

40 That is, with a true and continual spiritual joy, Philip. 4:4.

41 That is, while ye believe in this life. Or, together with your faith, with which is always accompanied joy and peace.

42 Gr. in the power of the Holy Ghost, Who works now these spiritual gifts and virtues in the people by His power, 1 Cor. 12:6, 11.

1443And I myself also 44am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of 45goodness, filled with 46all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

43 Here the apostle begins to conclude this epistle, excusing himself that he had written so largely and so boldly unto them, and promising that he himself would come unto them.

44 That is, I trust, or assure myself firmly, according to the judgment of charity, which believes all things, 1 Cor. 13:7, seeing I know that ye really show this.

45 And that in this regard the discord, risen up among you about the use of indifferent things, proceeds not from wickedness or hatred against one another, but from weakness.

46 That is, all manner of knowledge, namely, of spiritual things necessary to salvation; for though there were many weak and ignorant ones among them, yet there were also many godly, understanding and well exercised in christian doctrine, in respect of whom he speaks this. See the like, 1 Cor. 1:5.

15Nevertheless, brethren, I have 47written the more boldly unto you 48in some sort, as putting you 49in mind, because 50of the grace that is given to me of God,

47 Namely, by frankly pointing to your faults and reproving them here and there.

48 That is, somewhat; or, in part the more boldly.

49 That is, in order that those things, which you yourselves know well and do not put so well in practice, you might seriously consider and practice the same.

50 Namely, of the apostleship, Rom. 1:5, that is, because I am appointed and called thereunto of God, and I must faithfully acquit myself in my office. See the following verse. Or, by the grace.

16That I should be 51the minister of Jesus Christ 52to the Gentiles, 53ministering the gospel 54of God, that the 55offering up of the Gentiles might be 56acceptable, 57being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

51 Gr. leitourgos. See of this word Acts 13:2; Rom. 13:6; Heb. 8:2.

52 See Acts 9:15, and 13:2; Rom. 11:13.

53 Or, offering up, that is, administering as an holy work; as it was the priest’s work.

54 That is, which God has committed to my trust, and commanded me to teach by preaching and writing.

55 That is, not which the Gentiles shall offer up, as Rom. 12:1, but whom I shall convert to God from among the Gentiles, and so shall offer up to God by my ministry. See the like, Mal. 1:11.

56 See Rom. 12:1.

57 See there also.

17I have therefore whereof I may 58glory 59through Jesus Christ in those things 60which pertain to God.

58 Namely, by reason that I have brought so many Gentiles to the faith by my ministry.

59 Who has blessed my ministry, and Who, as the only Author of their conversion, has wrought by me as His instrument.

60 Gr. which belong to God, as the only Author of the blessing and advancement of my ministry.

18For I will 61not dare to speak of any of those things 62which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the 63Gentiles obedient, by 64word and 65deed,

61 Namely, not be able to bring forth anything with a good conscience.

62 That is, which Christ has not powerfully wrought by me as well as by anyone of the other apostles, Gal. 2:8.

63 That is, to bring the Gentiles, whose apostle I principally am, unto obedience of faith and of the Gospel.

64 Or, by words and by deeds, that is, by the preaching of the Gospel.

65 That is, by much labor, difficulty and trouble; or, by wondrous works and miracles, as is declared in the following verse.

19Through mighty signs and wonders, by 66the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and 67round about unto 68Illyricum, I have fully preached 69the gospel of Christ.

66 The powerful working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people.

67 That is, in the countries round about, as namely in Arabia, Gal. 1:17; at Damascus, Gal. 1:17; at Antioch, Acts 13:1; at Seleucia, Acts 13:4; in Cyprus, Acts 13:4; in Pamphylia, Acts 13:13; in Pisidia, Acts 13:14; in Lycaonia, Acts 14:6; in Cilicia, Acts 15:41; in Phrygia, Acts 16:6; in Galatia, Acts 16:6; at Troas, Acts 16:8; at Athens, Acts 17:15; at Ephesus, Acts 19:1; in Achaia, Acts 18:27; in Macedonia, Acts 16:10, and other places. Or, in the circuit, journeying from one place to another, hither and thither.

68 A country situated on the Adriatic Sea, and bordering upon Macedonia, now called Slavonia.

69 That is, I have filled all those lands with preaching and knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.

20Yea, so have 70I strived to preach the gospel, not where 71Christ was 72named, lest I should build upon 73another man’s foundation:

70 Namely, with an holy and laudable ambition, being more diligent than others, the first to preach everywhere.

71 That is, the knowledge and doctrine of Christ.

72 That is, proclaimed, or known.

73 That is, that was first laid there by another. See 1 Cor. 3:10.

21But as it is written, Toj whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

j Isa. 52:15.

2274For which cause also I have been much hinderedk from coming to you.

74 Namely, to spread abroad the Gospel in those lands where it had not yet been proclaimed, and to plant new churches there. See Rom. 1:13.

k Rom. 1:13; 1 Thes. 2:18.

23But now having 75no more place in these 76parts, and having a greatl desire these many years to come unto you;

75 Namely, where the Gospel needs to be preached for the first time.

76 Namely, of Syria, Greece and Asia. Gr. klimasi; whereby are signified the regions which are situated at different elevations.

l verse 32; Rom. 1:10; 1 Thes. 3:10; 2 Tim. 1:4.

24Whensoever I take my journey 77into Spain, 78I will come to you: for 79I trust to see you 80in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward 81by you, if first I be 82somewhat 83filled with your company.

77 Namely, which I have purposed to do, because the Gospel has not been proclaimed there yet.

78 Namely, by God’s will, or if it shall please God, verse 32. Rom. 1:10.

79 That is, I am not well assured thereof by any revelation, but nevertheless have hope of it, as appears, Rom. 1:10.

80 That is, to take my journey as such, that I shall go over Italy, and through Rome. For, contrarily, the most near and straight way to sail from Syria or also (from) Greece to Spain, is not over Italy, but through between Africa and Sicily, leaving Sicily with Italy on the right side.

81 That is, by some of your congregation, to accompany me, and also to assist me in the service.

82 That is, a little, as verse 15.

83 Or, satisfied.

25Butm now I 84go unto Jerusalem 85to minister unto the saints.

m Acts 19:21; 24:17.

84 That is, that I do not immediately set upon my journey to come unto you, is because I must first of necessity travel from hence to Jerusalem.

85 That is, to carry to the poor and afflicted believers in Jerusalem the alms which are gathered for them; as is declared in the following verse.

26For it hath 86pleased 87them of Macedonia and Achaia to make 88a certain contribution for the poor 89saints which are at Jerusalem.

86 Namely, out of their own, free accord, and compassion.

87 That is, the congregations in Macedonia.

88 Gr. a certain communion, or imparting.

89 That is, believers, verse 25.

2790It hath pleased them verily; and 91their debtors they are. Forn if the Gentiles have been made partakers of 92their spiritual things, their 93duty is also to minister unto them in 94carnal things.

90 This he rehearses again to commend this their benevolence, and thereby tacitly admonish the Romans that they ought to imitate their example, seeing they were no less in good prosperity than those of Greece.

91 That is, are obliged to give them assistance. This he says not to diminish their benevolence, but thereby civilly admonish the Romans, that they are also obliged thereunto, for the same reason which follows.

n 1 Cor. 9:11; Gal. 6:6.

92 That is, the doctrine of the Gospel of Christ, in which are hidden all treasures of spiritual goods, which are called the goods of the Jews, or of the congregation at Jerusalem, because Christ was principally promised to the Jews, and because out of the congregation of Jerusalem the Gospel was preached abroad throughout the entire world among the Gentiles, Isa. 2:3; Acts 1:4, 8.

93 That is, obliged by the great benefit received from them, to recompense the same in some sort. See 1 Cor. 9:11; Gal. 6:6.

94 Or, temporal things, that is, needful for the sustentation of the flesh, that is, of the body.

28When therefore I have performed 95this, and have 96sealed to them 97this fruit, I will come 98by you into Spain.

95 That is, this journey and this service.

96 That is, shall faithfully have brought it over, seeing it is entrusted and as it were sealed in my hands, as a treasurer is sealed in a chest, that nothing of it may be taken away.

97 Namely, of faith and love which the foresaid congregations have brought forth. Thus it is called their liberality, because true faith must bring forth such fruits, and be operative by the works of charity, Gal. 5:6, 22.

98 Gr. through you, that is, through your house, or through your city.

29Ando99I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come 100in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

o Rom. 1:11.

99 See hereof verse 24.

100 Or, shall come with the full blessing, that is, I shall bring with me a full or abundant spiritual blessing to confirm you by my preaching in the christian doctrine, whereby the eternal blessing of God is proclaimed unto us.

30Now 101I beseech you, brethren, 102for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and 103for the love 104of the Spirit, thatp ye 105strive together with me 106in your prayers to God for me;

101 Or, I exhort.

102 That is, as ye love the Lord Jesus Christ, or, do it not so much for me only, but chiefly for Christ’s sake.

103 Namely, either wherewith God loves you, Rom. 5:5; or, wherewith you love God and your neighbor.

104 That is, which the Holy Ghost works and kindles in our hearts. Or, wherewith He loves us.

p 2 Cor. 1:11.

105 That is, that ye persist earnestly, vehemently and continually, as they do who strive, who stand by one another, and continue striving, until they obtain the victory. See Gen. 32:26.

106 Namely, which are the weapons wherewith the faithful fight against their enemies.

31Thatq I may be delivered 107from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that 108my service which I have 109for Jerusalem may be accepted 110of the saints;

q 2 Thes. 3:2.

107 Namely, which reject and withstand the doctrine of the Gospel and hate me for the same. These sought to kill the apostle at Jerusalem, but he was delivered out of their hands. See Acts 21:27, 33. This Paul knew before (it) would happen unto him, Acts 20:22. See 2 Thes. 3:2.

108 Namely, of faithful carrying over the gathered alms.

109 That is, to the poor believers within Jerusalem.

110 See verses 25, 26.

32Thatr I may come unto you with joy 111by the will of God, and may with you 112be refreshed.

r verse 23; Rom. 1:10.

111 That is, if it shall be God’s will. See Rom. 1:10, and James 4:13, 14, 15.

112 Gr. may take rest. See Mat. 11:28. Namely, by our mutual presence and conferences.

33Now 113the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

113 That is, Who is the Author of all blessing, good, and prosperity; and Who will always have peace kept among His children; Rom. 16;20; 1 Cor. 14:33; 2 Cor. 13:11, 13; Philip. 4:9; 1 Thes. 5:23; 2 Thes. 3:16; Heb. 13:20.