Romans 1

Romans 1:2

Desiring judgment against him - As upon a previous conviction, which they falsely pretended.

Romans 1:3

It is not the custom of the Romans - How excellent a rule, to condemn no one unheard! A rule, which as it is common to all nations, (courts of inquisition only excepted,) so it ought to direct our proceedings in all affairs, not only in public, but private life.

Romans 1:5

Such things as I supposed - From their passion and vehemence.

Romans 1:6

But had certain questions - How coldly does he mention the things of the last importance! And about one Jesus - Thus does Festus speak of Him, to whom every knee shall bow! Whom Paul affirmed to be alive - And was this a doubtful question? But why, O Festus, didst thou doubt concerning it? Only because thou didst not search into the evidence of it. Otherwise that evidence might have opened to thee, till it had grown up into full conviction; and thy illustrious prisoner have led thee into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Romans 1:10

With the tribunes and principal men of the city - The chief officers, both military and civil.

Romans 1:16

And Paul stretching forth his hand - Chained as it was: a decent expression of his own earnestness, and proper to engage the attention of his hearers; answered for himself - Not only refuting the accusations of the Jews, but enlarging upon the faith of the Gospel.

Romans 1:17

King Agrippa - There is a peculiar force in thus addressing a person by name. Agrippa felt this.

Romans 1:18

Who art accurately acquainted - Which Festus was not; with the customs - In practical matters; and questions - In speculative. This word Festus had used in the absence of Paul, Acts 25:19, who, by the Divine leading, repeats and explains it. Agrippa had had peculiar advantages for an accurate knowledge of the Jewish customs and questions, from his education under his father Herod, and his long abode at Jerusalem. Nothing can be imagined more suitable or more graceful, than this whole discourse of Paul before Agrippa; in which the seriousness of the Christian, the boldness of the apostle, and the politeness of the gentleman and the scholar, appear in a most beautiful contrast, or rather a most happy union.

Romans 1:19

From my youth, which was from the beginning - That is, which was from the beginning of my youth.

Romans 1:20

If they would testify - But they would not, for they well knew what weight his former life must add to his present testimony.

Romans 1:21

And now - This and the two following verses are in a kind of Acts 26:6,7,8 parenthesis, and show that what the Pharisees rightly taught concerning the resurrection, Paul likewise asserted at this day. The ninth verse is connected with the fifth. For Pharisaism Acts 26:9,5 impelled him to persecute. I stand in judgment for the hope of the promise - Of the resurrection. So it was in effect. For unless Christ had risen, there could have been no resurrection of the dead. And it was chiefly for testifying the resurrection of Christ, that the Jews still persecuted him.

Romans 1:22

Our twelve tribes - For a great part of the ten tribes also had at various times returned from the east to their own country, James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1. Worshipping continually night and day - That is, this is what they aim at in all their public and private worship.

Romans 1:23

Is it judged by you an incredible thing - It was by Festus, Acts 25:19, to whom Paul answers as if he had heard him discourse.

Romans 1:24

I thought - When I was a Pharisee: that I ought to do many things - Which he now enumerates.

Romans 1:25

I shut up many of the saints - Men not only innocent, but good, just, holy. I gave my vote against them - That is, I joined with those who condemned them. Perhaps the chief priests did also give him power to vote on these occasions.

Romans 1:26

I compelled them - That is, some of them; to blaspheme - This is the most dreadful of all! Repent, ye enemies of the Gospel. If Spira, who was compelled, suffered so terribly, what will become of those who compel, like Saul, but do not repent like him.

Romans 1:27

Acts 9:2.

Romans 1:28

O King - Most seasonably, in the height of the narration, does he thus fix the king’s attention. Above the brightness of the sun - And no marvel. For what is the brightness of this created sun, to the Sun of righteousness, the brightness of the Father’s glory?

Romans 1:29

In the Hebrew tongue - St. Paul was not now speaking in Hebrew: when he was, Acts 23:7, he did not add, In the Hebrew tongue. Christ used this tongue both on earth and from heaven.

Romans 1:32

Delivering thee from the people - The Jews and the Gentiles, to whom, both Jews and Gentiles, I now send thee - Paul gives them to know, that the liberty he enjoys even in bonds, was promised to him, as well as his preaching to the Gentiles. I, denotes the authority of the sender. Now, the time whence his mission was dated. For his apostleship, as well as his conversion, commenced at this moment.