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1: I commend unto you Phebe - The bearer of this letter.
A servant - The Greek word is a deaconness. Of the church in
Cenchrea - In the apostolic age, some grave and pious women were
appointed deaconnesses in every church. It was their office, not
to teach publicly, but to visit the sick, the women in particular,
and to minister to them both in their temporal and spiritual
necessities.
2: In the Lord - That is, for the Lord's sake, and in a
Christian manner. St. Paul seems fond of this expression.
4: Who have for my life, as it were, laid down their own
necks - That is, exposed themselves to the utmost danger. But
likewise all the churches of the gentiles - Even that at Rome, for
preserving so valuable a life.
5: Salute the church that is in their house - Aquila had been
driven from Rome in the reign of Claudius, but was now returned,
and performed the same part there which Caius did at Corinth,
(Ro 16:23).
Where any Christian had a large house, there they all assembled
together though as yet the Christians at Rome had neither bishops
nor deacons. So far were they from any shadow of papal power.
Nay, there does not appear to have been then in the whole city any
more than one of these domestic churches. Otherwise there can
be no doubt but St. Paul would have saluted them also. Epenetus
- Although the apostle had never been at Rome, yet had he many
acquaintance there. But here is no mention of Linus or Cemens;
whence it appears, they did not come to Rome till after this. The
firstfruits of Asia - The first convert in the proconsular Asia.
7: Who are of note among the apostles - They seem to have
been some of the most early converts. Fellowprisoners - For the
gospel's sake.
9: Our fellowlabourer - Mine and Timothy's,(Ro 16:21).
11: Those of the family of Aristobulus and Narcissus,
who are in the Lord - It seems only part of their families were
converted. Probably, some of them were not known to St. Paul by
face, but only by character. Faith does not create moroseness,
but courtesy, which even the gravity of an apostle did not hinder.
12: Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa - Probably they were two sisters.
13: Salute Rufus - Perhaps the same that is mentioned,(Mk 15:21).
And his mother and mine - This expression may only denote the
tender care which Rufus's mother had taken of him.
14: Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, &c. - He seems to join those
together, who were joined by kindred, nearness of habitation, or
any other circumstance. It could not but encourage the poor
especially, to be saluted by name, who perhaps did not know that
the apostle bad ever heard of them. It is observable, that whilst
the apostle forgets none who are worthy, yet he adjusts the nature
of his salutation to the degrees of worth in those whom he salutes.
15: Salute all the saints - Had St. Peter been then at Rome,
St. Paul would doubtless have saluted him by name; since no one
in this numerous catalogue was of an eminence comparable to his.
But if he was not then at Rome, the whole Roman tradition, with
regard to the succession of their bishops, fails in the most
fundamental article.
16: Salute one another with an holy kiss - Termed by St.
Peter, "the kiss of love," (1Pe 5:14). So the ancient
Christians concluded all their solemn offices; the men saluting
the men, and the women the women. And this apostolical custom
seems to have continued for some ages in all Christian churches.
17: Mark them who cause divisions - Such there were,
therefore, at Rome also. Avoid them - Avoid all unnecessary
intercourse with them.
18: By good words - Concerning themselves, making great
promises. And fair speeches - Concerning you, praising and
flattering you. The harmless - Who, doing no ill themselves,
are not upon their guard against them that do.
19: But I would have you - Not only obedient, but discreet
also. Wise with regard to that which is good - As knowing in this
as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil - As
ignorant of this as possible.
20: And the God of peace - The Author and Lover of it,
giving a blessing to your discretion. Shall bruise Satan under
your feet - Shall defeat all the artifices of that sower of
tares, and unite you more and more together in love.
21: Timotheus my fellowlabourer - Here he is named even
before St. Paul's kinsmen. But as he had never been at Rome,
he is not named in the beginning of the epistle.
22: I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you - Tertius,
who wrote what the apostle dictated, inserted this, either by St.
Paul's exhortation or ready permission. Caius - The Corinthian,(1Co 1:14).
My host, and of the whole church - Who probably met for some time
in his house.
23: The chamberlain of the city - Of Corinth.
25: Now to him who is able - The last words of this epistle
exactly answer the first, (Ro 1:-5 ): in
particular, concerning the power of God, the gospel, Jesus
Christ, the scriptures, the obedience of faith, all nations.
To establish you - Both Jews and gentiles. According to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ - That is, according to the
tenor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which I preach. According
to the revelation of the mystery - Of the calling of the gentiles,
which, as plainly as it was foretold in the Prophets, was still
hid from many even of the believing Jews.
26: According to the commandment - The foundation of the
apostolical office. Of the eternal God - A more proper epithet
could not be. A new dispensation infers no change in God.
Known unto him are all his works, and every variation of them,
from eternity. Made known to all nations - Not barely that they
might know, but enjoy it also, through obeying the faith.
27: To the only wise God - Whose manifold wisdom is known in the
church through the gospel, (Eph 3:10). "To him who is able," and,
to the wise God," are joined, as (1Co 1:24), where Christ is
styled "the wisdom of God," and "the power of God." To him be glory
through Christ Jesus for ever - And let every believer say, Amen!
