Romans 15

Romans 15:1

STrong,] namely more forward and firme in the Evangelicall doctrine having no scruple concerning the abolishment of the ceremoniall law, as your novice Christians amongst the Iewes have Not to please] namely doe what wee please in these indifferent things, without any regard of offending other men.

Romans 15:3

As it is written,] he hath not only not offended the weake, but hath moreover patiently suffered the injuries and outrages of the wicked.

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever,] a small digression, upon the occasion of the precedent passage, to shew the perpetuall use of Scripture especially in teaching the vertue of holy patience, which it also strengtheneth with comforts, to the end that the hope of beleevers may never faile.

Romans 15:5

Of patience] Namely he who is the onely Author there of in those who are his. The meaning is may hee that strengtheneth you against your outward enemies, unite you inwardly amongst your selves, that you may in both vertues imitate Iesus Christ Like minded,] or affected.

Romans 15:7

To the glory,] to make us partakers of his glorious grace in this world, Romans 9:23. and of his heavenly glory in the life everlasting.

Romans 15:8

Now I say,] in this common gathering together both of Iewes and Gentiles, there is this only difference, that is the Iewes gathering together, God hath singularly made the loyalty of his promises to appeare: and in that of the Gentiles, his mercie towards enemies, and people which were meere Aliens to him, and therefore there is no reason that the Iewes who were honoured with Christs owne ministery and with Gods ancient promises and covenant, should bee despised by the Gentiles, nor yet that the Gentiles to whom the Lord hath shewed mercy, should be dispised by the Iewes Was a minister,] having taken upon him the shape of a servant to acquite salvation for his Church, hee hath had a speciall care of the Iewish nation amongst whom he hath also exercised the ministery in his owne person. See Isaiah 42:1 and 49. 5, 6. Matth. 20. 28. Luk, 22. 27. Phil. 27.

Romans 15:9

Might glorifie,] might make his infinite mercy shine upon all humane unworthinesse such as that of the Gentiles was, who were prophane and execrable people As it is written.] an allusion rather than a proper exposition of the sence of this passage, as much as if he said. That which David in regard of his corporall victories said hee would doe namely to cause the praises of God to sound all the world over; Christ hath perfectly and really effected, having by his benefits given the occasion for it, and by his spirit the motion and will, to celebrate Gods infinite goodnesse throughout the world.

Romans 15:13

Of hope,] namely the onely Author and foundation of all the Gentiles hope, of whom hee had spoken in the former verse In believing,] the Italian, Believing,] namely in the knowledge and apprehension of the truth of the Gospell. This seems to be added because that many abused, their stronger and more forward faith, in giving the weakest the fore-said scandalls Yee may abound,] that your peaceable state, and the joy of your hearts, not troubled with these contentions or scandalls, may alwayes bee unto you a new pledge and hope of rest, and eternall joyes.

Romans 15:14

That yee also,] even as much as I my selfe doe exhort you unto it.

Romans 15:15

The more boldly,] namely with greater vehemencie and authoritie. He hath a particular relation to the exhortations contained in the three former Chapters Because of the grace,]by vertue of the charge which I have to bee the Apostle of the Gentiles, by Gods appointment, and to performe the same.

Romans 15:16

Ministring the,] figurative termes taken from sacrifices. The meaning is as in sacrifices the oblation ought to be pure, and purely offered by the Priest. So I the Apostle of you Gentiles labour towards you, to the end that the Holy Ghost accompa¦nying my ministery, may sanctifie you more & more: and that as such I may acceptably present and consecrate you to God.

Romans 15:17

I have therefore,] namely having receaved this grace of Apostleship, and such an abundant blessing of God upon it Through Iesus Christ,] of whom I hold all that I have of his meere goodnes and grace.

Romans 15:18

To make the Gentiles,] to gaine and acquire them to Christ, and to reduce them to the obedience of faith.

Romans 15:19

Of the spirit,] hee meanes that secret and inward vertue of the spirit, which enlightens, and enclines, and perswades the hearts; as the precedent power of miracles, was but only to terrifie convince and prepare Illyricum,] this is the Country which is now called Slavonia, I have fully preached the,] the Italian, I have accomplished the service of the,] this is also a terme touching sacrifices in which there was required a most strict observance of all the ceremonies which were appointed, the meaning is. I have not omitted any part belonging to mine office. See Colossians 1:25.

Romans 15:20

So have I,] making it mine onely glory to plant new Churches, not standing to manure those which were already planted by the ministery of others. Which he seemes to touch, to make his zeale and affection towards the Romans Church to appeare so much the more, it having bin setled and gathered together by others, and yet he servently desiring to visite it, contrary to his ordinary custome towards such Churches.

Romans 15:23

Having no more,] having no place where to found any new Churches, every place being already filled with the Gospell.

Romans 15:25

To minister,] carrying to the beleevers in Ierusalem the collections of the Churches of Macedonia and Achaiah.

Romans 15:27

Their spirituall.] he saith this, because that the preaching of the Gospell and the Ministers therof, were come out of Iudea, and also because the Iewes were first possessed of the promises of the Messias, and the covenant of God.

Romans 15:28

This fruit,] namely the effect of this charitie and of the Communion of faith, or this acknowledgement of the receaved benefit. See Phil. 1. 11. and 4. 17 I will come,] this was a designe of the Apostles, well befitting his vocation, but conceaved only out of zeale, and humane sanctified discourse, and not by any revelation, as the event did shew it, being, hindered from executing of it by meanes of the Iewes persecution, and by his imprisonment.

Romans 15:29

In the fulnesse,] bringing you more abundance of knowledge, and other spirituall gifts, Romans 1:11. Or the meaning is, I trust that God will largely blesse my ministery amongst you.

Romans 15:30

Of the spirit,] namely that love which he engenders in the hearts of beleevers, and by which he straightly unites them together. Or by the Holy Ghost whose proper effect is love. See Colossians 1:8 That yee strive,] namely that with your prayers you helpe me in all my distresses and combates.