Westminster Annotations, Romans 2 · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
Vers. 1. VVE then that] Gr. But we that.
V. 2. good to edification] In the Greek, there is an article set before the adjecture good, which importeth the chiefe good, which tendeth to the eternall salvation, which is expressed in the next word edification, signifying their profit and encrease in godlinesse, which hath the promise of this life and the life to come.
V. 3. The reproches of them, &c.] See Psal. 69. 9.
V. 5. Now the God of patience and consolation] See 1 Cor. 1. 10.
grant you] Gr. give to you.
according to Christ Jesus] Or, after the example of.
V. 6. and one mouth] Gr. in one mouth.
V. 7. as Christ also received us] He did not disdain us, but received us of his own accord, to make us partakers of Gods glory.
V. 8. Now I say] Gr. Tec. For I say. He applyeth the example of Christ to the Jews, whom he vouchsafed this honour for the promises which were made unto their fathers, although they were never so unworthy, that he executed the office of a Minister amongst them with marvellous patience, therefore much lesse ought the Gentiles despise them for certaine faults, whom the Sonne of God so much esteemed.
minister of the circumcision] Not because he administred the sacrament of circumcision to any, for contrariwise, he instituted baptisme in stead of circumcision: but by circumcision here the Jews are meant, as Abraham, Rom. 4. 12. is called the father of circumcision, that is, of the circumcised Jews: Now though Christ preached to all, both Jews and Gentiles, the glad tidings of the Gospel; yet having taken upon him the forme of a servant, to purchase and work out salvation for his Church, he had still a speciall eye to them, amongst whom he did personally execute his ministery.
for the truth of God] In the commong reception both of the Jews and Gentiles, there is this only difference, that in that of the Jews, God did in a singular manner manifest his truth, that is, his faithfulnesse in performing his promises made unto them: but in that of the Gentiles he did more especially shew forth the greatnesse of his mercy to his utter enemies, namely, to a people that stood in opposition against him; and therefore there is no reason, why the Jews being honored by Christs own ministery, and by the old promises and covenant and God, should be despised and vilified by the Gentiles; nor on the other side, that the Gentiles to whom God had shewed mercy should be condemned by the Jews.
V. 9. For this cause, &c.] See Psal. 18. 49.
V. 10. Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his people] See Deuter. 32. 43.
V. 11. Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles] See Psal. 117. 1.
V. 12. There shall be a root of Jesse] See Isa. 11. 10.
V. 13. Now the God of hope] That is, the God in whom we hope, or, the God who is the Author of hope, who by the graces of his Spirit worketh in us both faith and hope. This very Title of God may serve as a soveraign Antidote against despair; for why would any despair of his mercy, who is the God of hope?
fill you] Gr. shall fill you.
peace in beleeving] That is, peace of conscience, free, not onelyonly from all terrours of wrath to come, but scrupulous doubtings concerning things indifferent, of which he spake before.
through the power] Gr. in the power.
V. 14. filled with all knowledge] That is, knowledge of all things that appertain to the doctrine of salvation; or perfect knowledge, so farre as it may be attained of us in this life, wherein the best and most learned know but in part, and see but as through a glasse darkly, 1 Cor. 13. 12.
admonish one another] Or, instruct one another.
V. 16. the minister] Or, a minister.
ministring the gospel of God] Gr. serving in the holy work of the gospel.
offering up of the Gentiles] Or, sacrificing. He speaketh not of any holy oblations of the Gentiles, or any thing they offer unto God; but of the Gentiles themselves, whom the Apostle offered to God as a sacrifice, Rom. 12. 1.
V. 7. I have therefore whereof I may glory] He extolleth Apostleship very highly by the marvellous effects thereof; but yet so, that he giveth all the glory to God, as the onelyonly Author; and doth not properly respect himself, but this rather, that men might lesse doubt of the truth of the doctrine which he propoundeth to them.
glory through Jesus] Or, rejoyce in Jesus.
in those things] Or, concerning those things.
V. 18. which Christ hath not wrought by me] Christ was so with me in all things, and by all means, that if I would never so faine, yet I cannot say what he hath done by me to bring the Gentiles to obey the Gospel. Or, I will speak onelyonly of things done by my ministery.
to make the Gentiles obedient] Gr. to the obedience of the Gentiles.
V. 19. Through mighty signes] Gr. in the power of mighty signes.
by the power of the Spirit] Gr. Tec. by the power of the holy Spirit. The word power in the former part of this verse signifieth the force and working of wonders; and in the latter it signifieth Gods mighty power, who is the worker of those wonders: so that in these words the Apostle implieth a double action of God; outward, in working wonders by the hands of S. Paul to the conversion of the Gentiles; and inward, whereby by the grace of his Spirit, he wrought faith and repentance in them.
V. 20. another mans foundation] That is, preach the Gospel where the Church hath been planted by another man: for that were as it were to graff on his stock, and build upon his foundation; that is, the foundation of Christian doctrine laid by him.
V. 21. To whom he was not spoken of] See Isa. 52. 15.
V. 22. much] Or, many wayes, or, oftentimes.
V. 24. will] Or, shall.
with your company] Gr. with you, vers. 32.
V. 25. to minister unto the saints] Gr. ministring to the saints. That is, to perform this office and service for the saints, to carry them that money which was gathered for their use; for otherwise if the word Minister be taken for the exercising his ministeriall function, S. Peter, to whom the ministery of the circumcision was specially commended, Gal. 2. 7. as the Apostleship of the uncircumcision to Paul, was properly the Minister of the Jews, where God specially blest his labours; though, as S. Ambrose rightly observeth, S. Peters ministery was not so confined to the Jews, but that he might, and did sometimes, preach to the Gentiles, as likewise did S. Paul to the Jews.
V. 27. If the Gentils, &c.] See 1 Cor. 9. 11.
V. 28. have sealed] I have really performed, and sealed as it were with my ring.
this fruit] By fruit he meaneth the money gathered for the use of the poor, which he fitly here, as also Phil. 4. 17. calleth the fruit, not because (saith he) I desire a gift, but that I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Alms-deeds may be called a fruit, as well because every good tree, that is, every faithfull man, beareth such fruit; as also because such good works are fruitfull, that is, beneficiall and profitable, both to the po…r who receive, and the rich that give.
V. 29. And I am sure that when I come] He promiseth them through the blessing of God, not to come emptie unto them; and requiring of them the duty of prayers, he sheweth what thing we ought chiefly to rest upon in all difficulties and adversities.
blessing of the gospel of Christ] Gr. Tec. benediction, or, blessing of Christ.
V. 30. for the love of the Spirit] For that mutuall conjunction wherewith the holy Ghost hath tyed our hearts and mindes together.
V. 31. do not beleeve] Or, are disobedient.
V. 32. with joy] Gr. in joy.