Bible Commentaries

Paul. Paul's name heads all his Epistles, except Hebrews.

servant. Greek. doulos. App-190. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:5. Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:10. Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:1. Titus 1:1.

Jesus Christ. App-98. XL

called, &c. Literally a called apostle; called at his conversion (Acts 26:17, Acts 26:18).

apostle. App-189.

separated = set apart. Greek. aphorizo. Compare Acts 13:2; Acts 19:9. 2 Corinthians 6:17. Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:15; Galatians 2:12. Note the three stages in Paul's "separation" for God's purpose: birth (Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:15, Galatians 1:16); conversion (Acts 9:15); work (Acts 13:2).

unto. Greek. eis. App-104.

the gospel of God: i.e. the "gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24. Compare Acts 15:7), not the "gospel of the kingdom". See App-140. .

God. App-98.

had. Omit.

promised afore. Greek. proepangello. Only here: epangello occurs fifteen times; always rendered "promise", save 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:21 (professing).

Prophets. App-189.

scriptures. Greek. graphe. Occurs fifty-one times (sing, and plural) Fourteen times by Paul, but only here with adjective hagios, holy.

Concerning. Greek. peri. App-104.

Son. Greek. huios. App-108.

Jesus . . . Lord. In the Greek these words follow after "dead" in Romans 1:4. Figure of speech Hyperbaton. App-6.

Lord. App-98.

Which was made = Who was born (Galatians 1:4, Galatians 1:4, Revised Version.)

seed: i.e. of David's line, but ending specifically in Mary, who was here the "seed" of David. App-99. And Christ was "the Seed" of the woman (Genesis 3:15. Isaiah 7:14. Matthew 1:23).

David. Compare John 7:42. 2 Timothy 2:8.

according to. Greek. kata. App-104.

flesh = human nature. Greek. sarx. See Romans 9:3, Romans 9:5.

declared = marked out. Greek. horizo. See Acts 2:23. Compare Psalms 2:7.

Son of God. App-98.

with power = in (Greek. en) power (Greek. dunamis. App-172.); i.e. powerfully. Compare Philippians 3:10.

spirit. App-101.

holiness. Greek. hagiosune. Only here, 2 Corinthians 7:1. 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Nowhere in Greek. literature. It is the Genitive of apposition (App-17.) The expression is not to be confounded with pneuma hagion (App-101.) His Divine spiritual nature in resurrection is here set in contrast with His human flesh as seed of David.

resurrection. Greek. anastasis. App-178. Compare Acts 26:23.

from = of.

dead. App-139. See Matthew 27:52, Matthew 27:53.

grace and apostleship. Some see here the Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6), and read "apostolic grace".

grace. Greek. charis. App-184.

apostleship. See Acts 1:25.

obedience to the faith = faith-obedience.

faith. App-150.

among. Greek. en. App-104.

nations = Gentiles. Greek. ethnos. Occurs in Romans twenty-nine times; translated "Gentiles" except here, Romans 4:17, Romans 4:18; Romans 10:19; Romans 16:26.

for = on behalf of. Greek. huper. App-104.

name. See Acts 2:21.

the called. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:24.

all, &c.: i.e. all God's beloved ones in Rome.

beloved. Greek. agapetos. App-135.

saints. See Acts 9:13, and compare Psalms 16:3.

our Father. Compare Romans 8:15; Galatians 1:4, Galatians 1:6; and see App-98.

the = our.

Lord. App-98. This salutation is found in all Paul's Epistles save Hebrews and the three Pastorals, where "mercy" is added.

thank. See Acts 27:35.

through. Greek. dia. App-104. Romans 1:1. Compare John 14:6.

for. Greek. huper, as in Romans 1:5, but the texts read peri, concerning (App-104.)

spoken of. Greek. katangello. App-121.

throughout. Greek. en. App-104.

world. Greek. kosmos. App-129.

witness. Greek. martus; only here in Romans. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:23. Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:8. 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:10.

serve. Greek. latreuo. App-137 and App-190.

spirit. App-101. Compare Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:3.

the gospel of His Son. This expression only here; elsewhere, the Apostle speaks of "the gospel of Christ", 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:18; 2 Corinthians 2:12. Philippians 1:27. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:4.

without ceasing, Greek. adialeiptos. Only here and 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

make mention. Compare Ephesians 1:16. Philippians 1:3. 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:6. 2 Timothy 1:3. Philemon 1:4. The same expression appears in a papyrus of second cent., from the Fayoum, in a letter from a Roman soldier to his sister.

prayers. Greek. proseuche. App-134.

Making request. Greek. deomai. App-134.

if by any means. Greek. eipos. App-118.

might . . . journey. Greek. euodoumai. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 16:2. 3 John 1:2.

will. Greek. thelema. App-102.

come. Greek. erchomai. App-106.

long. Greek. epipothes. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 9:14. Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:8; Philippians 2:26. 1 Thessalonians 3:6. 2 Timothy 1:4. James 4:5. 1 Peter 2:2.

see. App-133.

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

impart. Greek. metadidomi. Elsewhere, Romans 12:8. Luke 3:11. Ephesians 4:28. 1 Thessalonians 2:8.

unto = to.

spiritual. Greek. pneumatikos. See 1 Corinthians 12:1.

gift. Greek. charisma. App-184. Compare Romans 12:6. 1 Corinthians 12:4, &c.

to the end. Greek. eis. App-104.

established. Greek. sterizo. Elsewhere, Romans 16:25. Luke 9:51; Luke 16:26; Luke 22:32. 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:3. James 5:8. 1 Peter 5:10. 2 Peter 1:12. Revelation 3:2.

That is, &c. = But this (imparting some spiritual gift) is (or means) our being comforted by our mutual faith.

comforted together. Greek. sumparakaleo. Only here.

mutual = in (Greek. en) one another.

would, &c. First of six occurances: Romans 11:25. 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1. 2 Corinthians 1:8. 1 Thessalonians 4:13. See the positive form, 1 Corinthians 11:3. Colossians 2:1.

would. Greek. thelo. App-102.

have you, &c. = that you should be ignorant. Greek. agnoeo. Compare Mark 9:32. Luke 9:45.

purposed. Greek. protithemi; only here, Romans 3:25. Ephesians 1:9.

let = hindered. (Anglo-Saxon lettan, to delay.) Greek. kdluo; Occurs twenty-three times (seventeen times "forbid").

other. Greek. loipos. App-124. Paul frequently uses the significant term, "the rest", to designate the unsaved. See Romans 11:7. Ephesians 2:3; Ephesians 4:17. 1 Thessalonians 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6. See also Revelation 20:5.

the. Omit.

Greeks. Greek. Hellen. See John 7:35 with John 12:20.

Barbarians. See Acts 28:2, Acts 28:4.

wise. Corresponds generally to "learned".

unwise. Greek. anoetos, unintelligent. Such as the Pharisees despised (John 7:49). Elsewhere, Luke 24:25. Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:9. Titus 3:3.

as much as in me is = as for (Greek. kata. App-104.) me.

ready. Greek. prothumos. Only here. Matthew 26:41. Mark 14:38.

preach the gospel. Greek. euangelizo. App-121.

you, &c. = you also that are at (Greek. en) Rome.

For. This is Figure of speech Aetiologia. App-6.

I am, &c: i.e. I count it my highest honour and glory to proclaim the gospel. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6.

ashamed. Greek. epaischunomai. Here, Romans 6:21. Mark 8:38. Luke 9:26. 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:16. Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 11:16.

of Christ. All the texts omit.

believeth. App-150.

first. In point of national precedence and privilege. Compare Romans 2:9, Romans 2:10; Romans 8:1, Romans 8:2.

Greek. See Romans 1:14. Representing all non-Jews.

therein = in (Greek. en) it.

the. Omit.

righteousness of God = God's righteousness.

righteousness. Greek. dikaiosune. App-191.

revealed. Greek. apokalupto. App-106.

from. Greek. ek. App-104.

to. Greek. eis. App-104. God's righteousness is revealed on the ground of faith (faith-principle) (ek pisteos), as the absolute condition of salvation, and is operative only for those who believe (eis pistin). For the use of ek pisteos, Compare Romans 3:26, Romans 3:30; Romans 4:16; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:6; Romans 14:23. Galatians 1:2, Galatians 1:16.

written. See Matthew 2:5 (first occ).

just. Greek. dikaios. App-191.

live. Quoted from Habakkuk 2:4. Compare Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:11. Hebrews 10:38.

For. In the gospel not only is God's salvation revealed, but God's wrath also, and both are the revelation of God's righteousness.

the wrath of God. This expression Occurs only here, John 3:36. Ephesians 5:6. Colossians 3:6. Compare Revelation 19:15. Referred to many times in N.T., e.g. Romans 2:5; Romans 5:9; Romans 9:22. Matthew 3:7. Ephesians 2:3; Ephesians 5:6. Revelation 6:16, Revelation 6:17.

heaven. Singular. No article. See Matthew 6:10.

against. Greek. epi, App-104.

ungodliness. Greek. asebeia. App-128.

unrighteousness. Greek. adikia. App-128.

men. Greek. anthropos. App-123.

hold = hold down, suppress. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

the truth. Greek. alethieia, p. 1511. Compare App-175and App-2.

known. See Acts 1:19.

manifest. Greek. phaneros. App-106.

hath. Omit.

shewed = manifested. Greek. phaneroo. App-106.

invisible. Greek. aoratos. Here, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 1:16, 1 Timothy 1:17. Hebrews 11:27.

clearly seen. Greek. katkorao. Only here.

things that are made. Greek. poiema. Only here and Ephesians 2:10.

eternal. Greek. aidios. App-151.

Godhead. App-98.

so that, &c. = to the end (Greek. eis) of their being. Compare Romans 1:11.

without excuse. Greek. anapologetos. Only here and Romans 2:1.

knew. Greek. ginosko. App-132.

glorified. Seep. 1511.

but. Emphatic.

became vain. Greek. mataioomai. Only here. Compare Acts 14:15.

imaginations = reasonings. See Matthew 15:19.

foolish. Greek. asunetos, as Romans 1:31.

Professing, &c. = saying that they were. Greek. phasko. See Acts 24:9.

became fools. Literally were fooled (i.e. by their perverted mind). Greek. moraino. Here, Matthew 5:13. Luke 14:34. 1 Corinthians 1:20.

changed. Greek. allasso. see Acts 6:14.

glory. Greek. doxa. See p. 1511.

uncorruptible. Greek. aphthartos. Here; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Corinthians 15:52. 1 Timothy 1:17. 1 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 3:4.

image, &c. = likeness (Greek. homoioma. Here, Romans 5:14; Romans 6:5; Romans 8:3. Philippians 1:2, Philippians 1:7. Revelation 9:7) of an image of.

image. Greek. eikon. Occurs twenty-three times; always so rendered. This is the Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6.

corruptible. Greek. phthartos. Here, 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Corinthians 15:53, 1 Corinthians 15:54; 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23.

birds, &c. In Egypt they worshipped the hawk and the ibis.

fourfooted beasts. Greek. tetrapous. See Acts 10:12. As the bull and the cow, held by the Egyptians sacred to. Apis and Hathor (Venus); the dog to Anubis; &c.

creeping things. Greek. herpeton. See Acts 10:12. The asp, sacred to the gods of Egypt and found in every heathen pantheon; indeed, the worship of the serpent plays a prominent part in all forms of Paganism. The crocodile, tortoise, frog, and the well-known Scarabaeus beetle, sacred to the sun and to Pthah, and used as an emblem of the world (Wilkinson).

also. Omit.

gave them up. See John 19:30.

uncleanness. Greek. akatharsia. Occurs ten times, always so rendered. The cognate word akathartes in Revelation 17:4 only. Ceasing to know God (Romans 1:21) results in idolatry, and idolatry ends in "filthiness of the flesh and spirit" (2 Corinthians 7:1).

through. App-104.

lusts. See John 8:44.

to dishonour, &c. = that their bodies should be dishonoured. Greek. atimazo. See Acts 5:41.

between. Greek. en. App-104.

Who = Since they.

changed. Greek. metallasso; only here and Romans 1:26. A stronger word than in Romans 1:23.

the truth of God into a lie = the truth of God for the lie. Man transferred his worship from God (the Truth) to the devil. Compare John 8:44. Ephesians 4:25. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.

a lie = the lie. Greek. to pseudos. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:11. The He is that Satan is man's benefactor and is to be worshipped.

worshipped. Greek. sebazomai. App-137. Only here.

served. Greek. latreuo. App-137and App-190.

creature = the things created; not only sun, moon, stars, men, the animate creation, but Satan himself, the arch-enemy, who by means of his "lie" (Genesis 3:4, Genesis 3:5) transferred the worship of man from the Creator to himself, the creature.

more than. Greek. para. App-104.

blessed. Greek. eulogetos. Compare Romans 9:5. Mark 14:61. (The) Blessed One. Not a statement of doctrine, but a well-known Hebraism of praise to God as Creator.

for ever. App-151. a.

Amen. See Matthew 5:18. John 1:51, and p. 1511.

For this cause = Because of (App-104. Romans 1:2) this.

vile affections = passions of infamy (Greek. atimia. Here, Romans 9:21. 1 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Corinthians 15:43. 2 Corinthians 6:8; 2 Corinthians 11:21. 2 Timothy 2:20).

affections = passions, or lusts. Greek. pathos. Only here; Colossians 3:5. 1 Thessalonians 4:5.

natural. Greek. phusikos. Only here, Romans 1:27; 2 Peter 2:12.

use. Greek. chresis. Only here and Romans 1:27.

against. Greek. para. App-104.

also the men = the men also.

men. App-123.

leaving = having forsaken. App-174.

burned = were inflamed. Greek. ekkaiomai. Only here.

lust. Greek. orexis. Only here.

toward. App-104.

working. Greek. katergazomai. Occurs eleven times in Romans, seven in 2 Corinthians. See also James 1:3, James 1:20; 1 Peter 4:3.

that which is unseemly. Greek. aschemosune. Only here and Revelation 16:15. Compare Genesis 19:7.

receiving = receiving back, or in full. Greek. apolambano.

that = the.

recompence. Greek. antimisthia, retribution; only here and 2 Corinthians 6:13.

error. Greek. plane, literally a wandering = wrong action, wickedness. Here, Matthew 27:64. Ephesians 4:14. 1 Thessalonians 2:3. 2 Thessalonians 2:11. James 5:20. 2 Peter 2:18; 2 Peter 3:17. 1 John 4:6. Jude 1:11.

And even . . . mind. There is a play upon two words here, not easily expressed in Eng. "As they rejected God, God rejected them. "

did . . . like. Greek. dokimazo, to accept after testing, to approve. Compare Romans 2:18; Romans 12:2; Romans 14:22. 1 Corinthians 9:27.

knowledge. App-132.

reprobate. Greek. adokimos. The negative of dokimos. Compare dokimazo, above. Here, 1 Corinthians 9:27. 2 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 13:6, 2 Corinthians 13:7; 2 Timothy 3:8. Titus 1:16. Hebrews 6:8.

convenient. Greek. kathekon. See Acts 22:22.

filled. Greek. pleroo. App-125.

fornication. The texts omit.

wickedness Greek. poneria. App-128.

maliciousness. Greek. kakia. App-128.

envy = jealousy. Greek. phthonos. Compare Matthew 27:18.

murder. Greek. phonos. Note the Paronomasia, phthonos, phonos. App-6. See Acts 9:1.

debate = strife.

deceit. Greek. dolos. See Acts 13:10.

malignity. Greek. kakoetheia, literally disposition for mischief. Only here.

whisperers = calumniators. Greek. psithuristes. Only here.

Backbiters = evil speakers (not necessarily behind the back). Greek. katalalos. Only here. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:20. 1 Peter 2:1.

haters of God = hateful to God. Greek. theostuges. Only here.

despiteful = insolent. Greek. hubristes. Only here and 1 Timothy 1:13.

proud. Greek. huperephanos. Here, Luke 1:51. 2 Timothy 3:2. James 4:6. 1 Peter 5:6.

boasters. Greek. alazon. Only here and 2 Timothy 3:2.

inventors. Greek. epheuretes. Only here.

evil. Greek. kakos. App-128.

disobedient. See Acts 26:19.

Without understanding. Greek. asunetos. See Romans 1:21. Note the Paronomasia with next word. App-6.

covenantbreakers. Greek. asunthetos. Only here.

without natural affection. Greek. astorgos. Only here and 2 Timothy 3:3.

implacable. The texts omit.

unmerciful = pitiless. Greek. aneleemon. Only here.

knowing. Greek. epiginosko. App-132.

judgment = righteous sentence. Greek. dikaioma. App-177.

commit = practise.

have pleasure in = consent also to. See Acts 8:1.

do. Same as "commit", above. This list of heathen iniquities is the Figure of speech Synathroesmos. App-6.