Julian Period, 4771. Vulgar Æra,

58.

NO OFFENCE TO BE GIVEN TO WEAK BRETHREN.

knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to Corinth.

God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

§ 51. ROM. xiv. 13, to the end.

From the Consideration that we shall all render an Account
of our own Actions, St. Paul entreats the Roman Con-
verts to forbear judging each other, and to be particularly
cautious that they do not give occasion to a weak Brother
to stumble, or to offend-for although no Meat is unclean
of itself, it is made so to him who thinks it unclean-
They are to take care therefore that by their Example they
destroy not him for whom Christ died, and that the good
Liberty they enjoyed be not the cause of Evil-For the
Kingdom of God does not consist in Meat and Drink, but
in Holiness, spiritual Peace, and Joy-They are to
serve Christ by following such a course as will promote
the Peace and Edification of each other, and not by the
Indulgence of Appetite run the risk of destroying the Vir-
tue of another-Those who have attained to a right Faith
concerning Meats and Days, are not to make a display of
it to the Injury of others-He indeed is happy who never
subjects himself to condemnation by doing those Things,
which in themselves are lawful-He who believes certain
Meats, according to the Mosaic Law, to be unlawful,
sins if he eats them; because he does a Thing which he
believes to be unlawful, and thereby violates his Con-
science, which is Sin.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more,
but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block
or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of.

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is of fended, or is made weak.

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riod, 4771. Vulgar Era,

58.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Corinth.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing
which he alloweth.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because
he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
ROM. XV. 1-7.

$ 52.
Those who are strong in the Faith are more particularly
required to bear with the Infirmities of the Weak, and to
attend not to their own Gratification, but to the Edifica-
tion of their Neighbour, as Christ himself, by his own
predicted Example has taught (Ps. lxix. 9.)-He assures
them, that all that is recorded of the Sufferings of Christ,
and of the Saints in the Old Testament, were written for
their Instruction, that they through the Scriptures might
obtain the same Hope and the same Consolation-He
prays that they may act towards each other after the Ex-
ample of Christ, that they may without Contention unite
in glorifying God, and receive and hold Communion with
each other in the same manner as Christ received them
both into his Church, to the Glory of God the Father.

1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities
of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on

me.

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus ;

6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

§ 53. ROM. XV. 8-13.

The Apostle here seems to have in view a probable objection
that the Jew would make to the admission of the Gentiles
into the Church of Christ, because Christ had not preach-
ed to them-St. Paul affirms, that Jesus Christ was born
a Jew, and became the Minister of Circumcision for the
Purpose of more effectually accomplishing the Promises
made to the Fathers, by which means the Gentiles also
would have reason to glorify God for his Mercy, accord-
ing to the Predictions of their own Prophets, which clearly
prove that God was determined from the beginning to
make the Gentiles his People, as well as the Jews-The

Julian Pe riod, 4771.

Vulgar Era, 58.

EXHORTATION TO THE GENTILE CONVERTS.

Apostle prays that God, who has given the Gentiles this Corinth.
hope, may fill them with all spiritual Peace and Joy in
believing in Jesus Christ; and that all their Hopes and
Expectations in him may be fulfilled by the Power of the
Holy Ghost.

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the
circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the pro-
mises made unto the fathers;

9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

$ 54. ROM. XV. 14, to the end.

The Apostle having now completed the Doctrinal and Prac-
tical part of his Epistle, addresses himself more parti-
cularly to the Gentiles-He is persuaded that they are so
full of Goodness and Knowledge of God's design towards
them, that they are able to admonish each other, yet he
has made bold to write to them on account of his aposto-
lical Office, which he had received from God, for the
converting the Gentiles, whom he now presents as an ac-
ceptable Offering to God-He glories in the Success of
his own Ministry-Christ working with him, and by the
Power of the Holy Ghost, confirming both his Doctrine
and Mission, by mighty Signs and Wonders-His anx-
iety to preach the Gospel where it was before unknown,
prevented him from having visited Rome, where it was
already planted; but now having nothing more to do, he
hopes to see them on his way to Spain, and to be gratified
by their Company thitherward-He mentions his intended
Journey to Jerusalem, to carry the Contributions of his
Gentile Converts to the Jewish Converts at Jerusalem,
thereby hoping to reconcile them to each other; as
through the means of the Jews the Gentiles were brought
to the Knowledge of spiritual Things, they are bound to
make a return of carnal Things-He repeats his inten-
tion to visit them, after he has delivered up the Contribu-
tions, endued with the Gifts and Blessings of the Gospel
of Christ-He intreats them to pray earnestly for his
Deliverance from the unbelieving Jews, who sought to

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58.

destroy him; and that his Subscription might be accept- Corinth.
able to the Christian Jews-His hope to see them, that
they may be both strengthened by the imparting of spiri-
tual Gifts, and his Benediction.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my bre-
thren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all
knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God: so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

21 But, as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

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 thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints.

t

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.

411

SALUTATIONS TO VARIOUS FRIENDS AT ROME.

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

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

§ 54. ROM. xvi. 1-16.

all. Amen.

St. Paul recommends to the good Offices of the Christians
at Rome, Phebe, who was the Bearer of this Epistle-
He greets Aquila and Priscilla, whom he highly com-
mends, and the Church at their House. He salutes
many of his Christian Friends, some of whom were pro-
bably his own Converts, who were now settled at Rome.

1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a
servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

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 of 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.

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epenetus, 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 my 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 Appelles, approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household 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.