1.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Verse 1
An apostle. Paul was not in fact one of the twelve apostles. The original number were appointed long before his conversion; and, as the office appears not to have been intended to be perpetual, we do not learn that any vacancies, after that occasioned by the death of Judas, were filled. Paul, however, generally assumes the title, in his writings, inasmuch as, like the apostles, he received his commission to go forth as a preacher of the gospel, directly from the Savior.--Separated; set apart, consecrated.
2.
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3.
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Verse 3
Of the seed of David; of the family of David.--According to the flesh; in respect to earthly parentage.
4.
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Verse 4
According to the Spirit of holiness. A great degree of uncertainty has been felt among commentators in respect to the precise import of the term Spirit of holiness, as used in this connection; and, in fact, also in respect to the other clauses of this verse. Some consider this expression as referring to the Holy Spirit, others to the divine Word which became flesh in the person of Jesus. (John 1:1,John 1:14.) Others still understand it to denote those spiritual influences affused by the Savior, after his resurrection, upon the apostles, and other members of the early church. In fact, in regard to the whole verse, the best authorities among commentators express their opinions of the specific sense in which its several clauses are to be understood with great hesitation. Its general import is clear, viz., that Jesus, who, in respect to his human powers and station, was a descendant of David, was proclaimed the Son of God by divine indications of the highest and most unquestionable character.
5.
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Verse 5
For obedience; for promoting obedience.--For his name; in his name.
6.
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10.
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Verse 10
Now at length. Paul was, at this time, about proceeding to Jerusalem, intending immediately afterwards to visit Rome. (Acts 19:21.)--A prosperous journey. The journey of the apostle to Rome actually proved to be very far from a prosperous one, in the ordinary sense of the term. The passage was as unpropitious as inclement skies, stormy seas, shipwreck, and long delays, could make it. Still, in respect to the promotion of the great object which he had in view, it was perhaps the most propitious expedition ever made. Those very circumstances of exposure and suffering have given to the voyage of St. Paul, and to the moral and spiritual lessons which the history of it conveys, an importance and an influence which far surpass, undoubtedly, the highest expectations he could have formed. We ought to learn, from this case, that, after offering our prayer to God, in respect to what is to befall us, we should leave the disposal of the event entirely to him, with a quiet and contented confidence that he will do all things well.
11.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12.
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Verse 13
Let; prevented.
14.
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Verse 14
I am debtor; that is, I am under obligations of duty.--To Greeks and Barbarians; to civilized and uncivilized; that is, to all.
15.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Verse 15
As much as in me is; so far as I have power and opportunity.
16.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Verse 16
To the Jew first, and also to the Greek; a mode of expression strikingly adapted to the state of feeling among those addressed, rendering, as it does, to the Jew the honor of respectful mention as the special object of divine regard, but yet placing the Gentile on an equal footing, in fact, as a partaker of the benefits of the gospel. It Is the language of truth and of conciliation combined; salvation to all that believe,--to the Jew first,--that is, specially, prominently,--but also to the Greek. While it distinctly extends to the one class all the blessings and privileges of the gospel, it does so by a form of expression which treats with respect the long-cherished feelings and prepossessions of the other.
17.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Verse 17
Therein; that is, in the gospel, which was named in the beginning of the Romans 1:16.--The righteousness of God; righteousness in the sight of God; that is, justification, as is evident from the use of this language in Romans 3:21-24.--From faith to faith; an expression the specific interpretation of which, in this connection, is not settled. The general idea of the passage is clear,--that in the gospel is revealed the way by which the sincere believer is justified and saved.--As it is written; Habakkuk 2:4.
18.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Verse 18
The wrath of God; the displeasure of God.--Who hold the truth; that is, hold it back, make it of none effect.
19.
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Verse 21
Knew God; had the means of knowing him.
22.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23.
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Verse 25
The truth of God; the truth in respect to God.--More than; rather than.
26.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27.
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Verse 28
Not convenient; not right.
29.
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Verse 29
Whisperers; secret slanderers.
30.
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31.
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32.
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Verse 32
Not only do the same, but have pleasure, &c.; that is, they were not merely led, by the power of temptation, to the occasional commission of sin, but it was their deliberate and settled purpose to love and encourage iniquity. A blacker catalogue of sins and of crimes than that here recorded, could scarcely be penned; and yet all history establishes the justice of every one of these charges, as expressing the prevailing characteristics of pagan morality, in every age. The shocking details of the evidence cannot be presented to a virtuous Christian community, nor are those who are accustomed to the social influences of Christianity capable of fully realizing the truth, when the evidence is placed before them.