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Ask a QuestionIf then I do that which I would not--"But if what I would not that I do," I consent unto the law that it is good--"the judgment of my inner man going along with the law."
Who shall lay anything to the charge of--or, "bring any charge against." God's elect?--the first place in this Epistle where believers are styled "the elect." In what sense this is meant will...
Too well aware that he was regarded as a traitor to the dearest interests of his people (Ac 21:33; 22:22; 25:24), the apostle opens this division of his subject by giving vent to his real feelings...
For even Christ pleased not--lived not to please himself; but, as it is written--(Ps 69:9). The reproaches, &c.--see Mr 10:42-45.
Nevertheless, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort--"measure" as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God--as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Philippi...the chief--rather, perhaps, "the first" city of that part of Macedonia--The meaning appears to be--the first city one comes to, proceeding from Neapolis. The sense given in our version...
after five days--or, on the fifth day from their departure from Jerusalem. Ananias...with the elders--a deputation of the Sanhedrim. a certain orator--one of those Roman advocates who trained...
I, Tertius, who wrote this--"the" epistle--as the apostle's amanuensis, or penman. salute you in the Lord--So usually did the apostle dictate his epistles, that he calls the attention of the...
ye shall eat the flesh of your sons--The revolting picture was actually exhibited at the siege of Samaria, at the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (La 4:10), and at the destruction of that city...
the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah--The southern boundary is here traced from the east. Asher (now Yasir), the starting point, was a town fifteen Roman miles east of Shechem, and...
Claudius--the Roman name he would take on purchasing his citizenship. Lysias--his Greek family name. the most excellent governor--an honorary title of office.
the soldiers' counsel was to hill the prisoners, lest any ... should escape--Roman cruelty, which made the keepers answerable for their prisoners with their own lives, is here reflected in this...
and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet--alluding to the many physical and moral ways in which, under the righteous government of God, vice was made self-avenging....
are we better than they?--"do we excel them?" No, in no wise--Better off the Jews certainly were, for having the oracles of God to teach them better; but as they were no better, that only...
David also describeth--"speaketh," "pronounceth." the blessedness of the man unto whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works--whom, though void of all good works, He, nevertheless, regards...
Wherefore--"So that." the law is--"is indeed" good, and the commandment--that one so often referred to, which forbids all lusting. holy, and just, and good.
So then--nearly equivalent to "And so." they that are in--and, therefore, under the government of the flesh cannot please God--having no obediential principle, no desire to please Him.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord?--See Job 15:8; Jer23:18. or who hath been his counsellor--See Isa 40:13, 14.
For as we have many members, &c.--The same diversity and yet unity obtains in the body of Christ, whereof all believers are the several members, as in the natural body.
The subject here, and on to Ro 15:13, is the consideration due from stronger Christians to their weaker brethren; which is but the great law of love (treated of in the thirteenth chapter) in one...
Let every one of us--lay himself out to please his neighbour--not indeed for his mere gratification, but for his good--with a view to his edification.
For which cause--"Being so long occupied with this missionary work, I have been much (or, 'for the most part') hindered," &c. (See on Ro1:9-11.)
I appeal to Caesar--The right of appeal to the supreme power, in case of life and death, was secured by an ancient law to every Roman citizen, and continued under the empire. Had Festus shown any...
commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear--that is, the Sanhedrim to be formally convened. Note here the power to order a Sanhedrim to try this case, assumed by the Roman officers...
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also--He feels himself under an all-subduing obligation to carry the gospel to all classes of mankind, as adapted to...
Professing themselves--"boasting," or "pretending to be" wise, they became fools--"It is the invariable property of error in morals and religion, that men take credit to themselves for it and extol...
Their feet are swift to shed blood--(Pr 1:16; Isa 59:7): that is, "Those feet, which should 'run the way of God's commandments' (Ps119:32), are employed to conduct men to deeds of darkest crime."
What shall we say then that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?--that is, (as the order in the original shows), "hath found, as pertaining to ('according to,' or 'through')...
As it is written, For thy sake, &c.--(Ps 44:22)--quoted as descriptive of what God's faithful people may expect from their enemies at any period when their hatred of righteousness is roused, and...
That, &c.--rather, "that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"; the mind and the mouth of all giving harmonious glory to His name. What a...