TEXT.

23 But now, having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire, these many years, to come unto you,

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thither-ward by you, if first 1 be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia, and Achaia, to make a certain contribution for the poor saints, which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors they are. For, if the gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When, therefore, I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come, by you, into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the gospel of Christ.

PARAPHRASE.

23 often hindered me from coming to you: But now, having in these parts no place, where Christ hath not been heard of, to preach the gospel in; and having had, for 24 these many years, a desire to come to you: I will, when I take my journey to Spain, take you in my way: for I hope, then, to see you, and to be brought on my way thither-ward by you, when I have, for some time, enjoyed your company, and pretty well satisfied my long25 ing, on that account. But, at present, I am setting out 26 for Jerusalem, going to minister to the saints there. For it hath pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor, among the saints at Jerusa 27 lem. It hath pleased them to do so, and they are, indeed, their debtors. For, if the gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they are bound, on their side, to minister to them, for the support of this 28 temporal life. When, therefore, I have dispatched this

business, and put this fruit of my labours into their 29 hands, I will come to you in my way to Spain. And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall bring with me to your full satisfaction, concerning the blessedness,

TEXT.

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the spirit, that ye strive, together with me, in your prayers to God for me.

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe, in Judea; and that my service, which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the saints;

32 That I may come unto you with joy, by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

PARAPHRASE.

30 which you receive by the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love which comes from the spirit of God, to join 31 with me in earnest prayers to God for me, That I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea; and that the service I am doing the saints there, may be accep32 table to them: That, if it be the will of God, I may come to you with joy, and may be refreshed together 33 with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

NOTE.

29 He may be understood to mean here, that he should be able to satisfy them, that, by the gospel, the forgiveness of sins was to be obtained. For that he shows, chap. iv. 6-9. And they had as much title to it, by the gospel, as the jews themselves; which was the thing he had been making out to them in this epistle.

SECT. XV.

CHAP. XVI. 1—27.

CONTENTS.

THE foregoing epistle furnishes us with reasons to con

clude, that the divisions and offences, that were in the roman church, were between the jewish and gentile converts, whilst the one, over-zcalous for the rituals of the law, endeavoured to impose circumcision and other mosaical rites,

as necessary to be observed, by all that professed christianity; and the other, without due regard to the weakness of the jews, showed a too open neglect of those their observances, which were of so great account with them. St. Paul was so sensible, how much the churches of Christ suffered, on this occasion, and so careful to prevent this, which was a disturbance almost every where (as inay be seen in the history of the Acts, and collected out of the epistles) that, after he had finished his discourse to them, (which we may ob serve solemnly closed, in the end of the foregoing chapter) he here, in the middle of his salutations, cannot forbear to caution them against the authors and fomenters of these divisions, and that very pathetically, ver. 17-20. All the rest of this chapter is spent, almost wholly, in salutations, Only the four last verses contain a conclusion, after St. Paul's manner,

TEXT.

1 I COMMEND unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Kenchrea:

2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her, in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and myself also."

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4 (Who have, for my life, laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the gentiles.)

PARAPHRASE.

1 I COMMEND to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a ser

2 vant of the church, which is at Kenchrea, That you receive her, for Christ's sake, as becomes christians, and that you assist her, in whatever business she has need of you, for she has assisted many, and me in particular. 3 Salute Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-labourers in the 4 gospel, (Who have, for my life, exposed their own to

2

NOTES,

Kenchrea was the port to Corinth.

b

66 Προσάτις, succourer," seems here to signify hostess, not in a common inn, for there was no such thing as our inns, in that country; but one, whose house was the place of lodging and entertainment of those, who were received by the church, as their guests, and these she took care of. And to that @porárię may be very well applied. But, whether St. Paul was induced to make use of it here, as somewhat corresponding to aparte, which he used in her behalf just before, in this verse, I leave to those, who nicely observe St. Paul's style,

TEXT.

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epænetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ.

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles, approved in Christ. Salute them, which are of Aristobulus' houshold.

11 Salute Herodian, my kinsman. Greet them that be of the houshold of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord.. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

danger, unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all 5 the churches of the gentiles.) Greet also the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epæne6 tus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet

Mary, who took a great deal of pains for our sakes. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and fellow

prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also 8 were christians before me. Greet Amplias, my beloved 9 in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and 10 Stachys, my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute those who are of the houshold of Aris11 tobulus. Salute Herodian, my kinsman. Salute all those of the houshold of Narcissus, who have embraced 12 the gospel. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who take

pains in the gospel. Salute the beloved Persis, who la13 boured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus, chosen, or

selected to be a disciple of the Lord; and his mother 14 and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Pa

trobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and

TEXT.

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they, that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and, by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad, therefore, on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good; and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

PARAPHRASE.

16 Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine, which 18 you have learned, and avoid them. For they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, and by good words and fair speeches, insinuating themselves, 19 deceive well-meaning, simple men. Your conversion and ready compliance with the doctrine of the gospel, when it was brought to you, is known in the world, and generally talked of: I am glad, for your sakes, that you so forwardly obeyed the gospel. But give me leave to advise you to be wise and cautious in preserving yourselves steady in what is wise and good; but employ no thought, or skill, how to circumvent, or injure another: 20 be in this regard very plain and simple. For God, who is the giver and lover of peace, will soon rid you of these ministers of Satan', the disturbers of your peace, who

NOTES.

18 Such as these we have a description of, Tit. i, 10, 11.

A direction much like this you have, 1 Cor. xiv. 20, and Eph. iv. 13-15. 20 f So those who made divisions in the church of Corinth are called, 2 Cor. i. 14, 15.