Romans 16

Romans 16:2

But how shall they preach, unless they be sent - Thus by a chain of reasoning, from God’s will that the gentiles also should “call upon him,” St. Paul infers that the apostles were sent by God to preach to the gentiles also. The feet - Their very footsteps; their coming. Isaiah 52:7.

Romans 16:3

Isaiah 53:1.

Romans 16:4

Faith, indeed, ordinarily cometh by hearing; even by hearing the word of God.

Romans 16:5

But their unbelief was not owing to the want of hearing For they have heard. Yes verily - So many nations have already heard the preachers of the gospel, that I may in some sense say of them as David did of the lights of heaven. Psalms 29:4

Romans 16:6

But hath not Israel known - They might have known, even from Moses and Isaiah, that many of the gentiles would be received, and many of the Jews rejected. I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are not a nation - As they followed gods that were not gods, so he accepted in their stead a nation that was not a nation; that is, a nation that was not in covenant with God. A foolish nation - Such are all which know not God. Deuteronomy 32:21

Romans 16:7

But Isaiah is very bold - And speaks plainly what Moses but intimated. Isaiah 65:1,2.

Romans 16:8

An unbelieving and gainsaying people - Just opposite to those who believed with their hearts, and made confession with their mouths.

Romans 16:10

Hath God rejected his whole people - All Israel? In no wise. Now there is “a remnant” who believe, Romans 11:5; and hereafter “all Israel will be saved,” Romans 11:26.

Romans 16:11

God hath not rejected that part of his people whom he foreknew - Speaking after the manner of men. For, in fact, knowing and foreknowing are the same thing with God, who knows or sees all things at once, from everlasting to everlasting. Know ye not - That in a parallel case, amidst a general apostasy, when Elijah thought the whole nation was fallen into idolatry, God “knew” there was “a remnant” of true worshippers.

Romans 16:12

1 Kings 19:10.

Romans 16:13

To Baal - Nor to the golden calves.

Romans 16:14

According to the election of grace - According to that gracious purpose of God, “He that believeth shall be saved.”

Romans 16:15

And if by grace, then it is no more of works - Whether ceremonial or moral. Else grace is no longer grace - The very nature of grace is lost. And if it be of works, then it is no more grace: else work is no longer work - But the very nature of it is destroyed. There is something so absolutely inconsistent between the being justified by grace, and the being justified by works, that, if you suppose either, you of necessity exclude the other. For what is given to works is the payment of a debt; whereas grace implies an unmerited favour. So that the same benefit cannot, in the very nature of things, be derived from both.

Romans 16:16

What then - What is the conclusion from the whole? It is this: that Israel in general hath not obtained justification; but those of them only who believe. And the rest were blinded - By their own wilful prejudice.

Romans 16:17

God hath at length withdrawn his Spirit, and so given them up to a spirit of slumber; which is fulfilled unto this day. Isaiah 29:10

Romans 16:18

And David saith - In that prophetic imprecation, which is applicable to them, as well as to Judas. A recompence - Of their preceding wickedness. So sin is punished by sin; and thus the gospel, which should have fed and strengthened their souls, is become a means of destroying them. Psalms 69:22,23

Romans 16:20

Have they stumbled so as to fall - Totally and finally? No But by their fall - Or slip: it is a very soft word in the original. Salvation is come to the gentiles - See an instance of this, Acts 13:46. To provoke them - The Jews themselves, to jealousy.

Romans 16:21

The first part of this verse is treated of, Romans 11:13, &c; the latter, How much more their fulness, (that is, their full conversion,) Romans 11:23, &c. So many prophecies refer to this grand event, that it is surprising any Christian can doubt of it. And these are greatly confirmed by the wonderful preservation of the Jews as a distinct people to this day. When it is accomplished, it will be so strong a demonstration, both of the Old and New Testament revelation, as will doubtless convince many thousand Deists, in countries nominally Christian; of whom there will, of course, be increasing multitudes among merely nominal Christians. And this will be a means of swiftly propagating the gospel among Mahometans and Pagans; who would probably have received it long ago, had they conversed only with real Christians.

Romans 16:22

I magnify my office - Far from being ashamed of ministering to the gentiles, I glory therein; the rather, as it may be a means of provoking my brethren to jealousy.

Romans 16:23

My flesh - My kinsmen.

Romans 16:24

Life from the dead - Overflowing life to the world, which was dead.

Romans 16:25

And this will surely come to pass. For if the first fruits be holy, so is the lump - The consecration of them was esteemed the consecration of all and so the conversion of a few Jews is an earnest of the conversion of all the rest. And if the root be holy - The patriarchs from whom they spring, surely God will at length make their descendants also holy.

Romans 16:26

Thou - O gentile. Being a wild olive tree - Had the graft been nobler than the stock, yet its dependance on it for life and nourishment would leave it no room to boast against it. How much less, when, contrary to what is practised among men, the wild olive tree is engrafted on the good!

Romans 16:27

Boast not against the branches - Do not they do this who despise the Jews? or deny their future conversion?