Romans 16

Romans 16:1

A Servant,] the Italian, A Deaconnesse,] it might bee some one of those holy Widdowes, which in the Apostolicall Church, did consecrate themselves, to serve and look to the poore the sicke, &c. 1 Timothy 5:9. Or plainely some honourable woman, who had no publicke office, but was assisting to the faithfull, with her wealth and services, as Luke 3:8.

Romans 16:2

In the Lord,] with such charity as all the members of Christ ought to have one towards the other. Or with a duty not simply civill, but Christian and spirituall A succouer,] the Italian, A proiectrix,] the Greeke word signifieth, one that is appointed to entertaine and harbour strangers in his house, and to undertake the care and protection of them. See 1 Tim. 5 10.

Romans 16:3

In Christ,] namely in the ministery of his Gospell.

Romans 16:4

Laid downe,] they have exposed themselves to dangers of death and punishments, for to save my life.

Romans 16:5

The Church,] namely their family, which beleeveth generally, and is ordered like a little Church O the assembly of beleevers, who assemble themselves in their house: for there were diverse small assemblies of beleevers in one and the selfe same Citie. See 1 Corinthians 16:19. Colossians 4:15 Who is he,] who was one of the fist that was converted to the Christian faith, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58.

Romans 16:7

Fellow prisoners,] peradventure in that imprisonment which is spoken of. Acts 16:23. 2 Corinthians 11:23 Amongst the,] that is to say are excellent Evangelists the word Apostle being somtimes taken more lagely, 2 Corinthians 8:23. Philippians 2:25 In Christ,] namely in the communion of beleevers, and in the Church; by professing Christ.

Romans 16:10

Approved,] who hath given certaine proofes of his Christian faith, zeale, and constancy.

Romans 16:11

In the Lord,] that is to say members of his Church.

Romans 16:12

In the Lord.] namely in the service of his Church both publike, and private, according to their vocation and power, or in the vertue of Christs spirit.

Romans 16:13

Chosen,] who in the communion of Christ and of his Church hath excellent and singular gifts.

Romans 16:17

Avoyld them,] that you exclude them as prophane out of your publike assemblies by excommunication: and that privately you shun all voluntary, pleasing, and intimate conversation with them. And that to shame them and keep your selves from their vices, and to testifie to all men the purity of the Church, contrary to their scandalls, which are reproved, and detested of all men.

Romans 16:19

For yours,] these seducers imagine that you are easie to be deceived, as very credulous, having receaved the Gospell with all manner of readinesse. But it lieth in you not to suffer this vertue of simplicitie of faith, to degenerate into the neighbouring vice, of foolish shallownesse, to beleeve any kinde of doctrine Simple,] without malice or fraud, as having no experience in evill, following that which is good, out of a sincere motion, without any discourse or hollen thought to the contrary.

Romans 16:20

Of peace,] the author and preserver of the true spirituall peace of the Church, which these Schismaticks, and factious persons raised up by the Devill do endeavour to trouble.

Romans 16:22

In the Lord,] namely with a Christian and spirituall Charitie.

Romans 16:23

Mine host,] See upon v. 2.

Romans 16:25

Power to stablish you,] to preserve and strengthen you in the spirituall state of grace and faith, according to the Gospell which I preach, the only subject whereof is Christ, and according to that which hee hath revealed unto you of his secret councell, concerning the salvation of the world, and the calling of you Gentiles, unknowne untill this present time, in which God having by his spirit cleered the meaning of ancient prophecies, by them it appeares, that his will and decree hath bin from the beginning

Romans 16:26

For the obedience, to bring men to submit themselves to the Gospell, and to Christs kingdome.