Bible Commentaries

Romans 15:20 — he mentions here the proper and peculiar distinction of the apostleship; for the work of an Apostle is to propagate the gospel where it had not been preached, according to that command, “Go ye, preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15.) And this is what we ought carefully to notice, lest we make a general rule of what specially belongs to the Apostolic order: nor ought we to consider it a fault, that a successor was substituted who built up the Church. The Apostles then were

Romans 16:4 — which [Erasmus ] has adopted, I do not approve; for it is plainly evident, that Paul, by way of honor, had used the sacred name of Church. (473) (472) The occasion is not mentioned. It was probably at Corinth, according to the account given in Acts 18:0. (473) Some of the Fathers considered that the family, being all religious, was the Church; but this is wholly inconsistent with the mode of expression that is used, and with the state of things at that time. They had no churches or temples to meet

Romans 9:33 — not hasten or fall, he has followed the Greek Translator. It is indeed certain that the Lord in that passage intended to strengthen the hope of His people: and when the Lord bids us to entertain good hope, it hence follows that we cannot be ashamed. (317) See a passage like this in 1 Peter 2:10 (317) The citation in this verse is made in a remarkable manner. The first part, “Behold I lay in Zion,” is taken from Isaiah 28:16; what follows, “a stone of stumbling and rock of offense,”

1 Corinthians 10:26 — 26.The earth is the Lord’s He establishes, from the testimony of David, the liberty which he had allowed. (Psalms 24:1, and Psalms 50:12.) But it will be asked by some one, “What has this to do with the point?” I answer, If the fullness of the earth (599) is the Lord’s, there is nothing in the world that is not sacred and pure. We must always keep

1 Corinthians 14:15 — 15.I will pray with the spirit Lest any one should ask, by way of objection, “Will the spirit then be useless in prayer?” he teaches, that it is lawful, indeed, to pray with the spirit, provided the mind be at the same time employed, that

1 Corinthians 15:18 — 18.Then they who are fallen asleep. Having it in view to prove, that if the resurrection of Christ is taken away, faith is useless, and Christianity (41) is a mere deception, he had said that the living remain in their sins; but as there is a clearer

1 Corinthians 15:58 — because they rest on a firm foundation, as they know that a better life is prepared for them in heaven. He adds — abounding in the work of the Lord; for the hope of a resurrection makes us not be weary in well doing, as he teaches in Colossians 1:10. For amidst so many occasions of offense as constantly present themselves to us, who is there that would not despond, or turn aside from the way, were it not that, by thinking of a better life he is by this means kept in the fear of God? Now, on

1 Corinthians 16:1 — 1.But concerning the collection Luke relates (Acts 11:28) that the prediction of Agabus, foretelling that there would be a famine under Claudius Caesar, gave occasion for alms being collected by the saints, with the view of affording help to the brethren

1 Corinthians 7:15 — 15.But if an unbeliever depart. This is the second department of his statement, in which he sets at liberty a believing husband, who is prepared to dwell with an unbelieving wife, but is rejected by her, and in like manner a woman who is, without any

1 Corinthians 9:2 — have deceived any of the populace, nay, even nations and kingdoms, by their falsehoods. Although in some cases persons are the occasion of spreading the kingdom of Christ, who, nevertheless, do not preach the gospel sincerely, as is said in Philippians 1:16, it is not without good reason that Paul infers from the fruit of his labor, that he is divinely commissioned: for the structure of the Corinthian Church was such, that the blessing of God could easily be seen shining forth in it, which ought to

2 Corinthians 11:1 — 1.Would that ye did bear with me. As he saw that the ears of the Corinthians were still in part pre-engaged, (793) he has recourse to another contrivance, for he turns to express a wish, as persons do when they do not venture openly to entreat. (794)

2 Corinthians 4:1 — 1.Having this ministry. He now returns to a commendation of himself personally, from which he had digressed into a general discussion, in reference to the dignity of the gospel. As, therefore, he has been treating of the nature of the gospel, so he now

2 Corinthians 4:18 — in a future life. Observe the expression, looking at the things which are unseen, (504) for the eye of faith penetrates beyond all our natural senses, and faith is also on that account represented as a looking at things that are invisible. (Hebrews 11:1.) (504) “The word which is here rendered look signifies to take aim at, (σκοποῦντων ἡμῶν) This is a very steady intuition, which a man hath of the mark which he is aiming

2 Corinthians 8:3 — their ability; and hence, to exert themselves beyond their ability, showed a rare, and truly admirable excellence. (663) Now he speaks according to the common custom of men, for the common rule of doing good is that which Solomon prescribes, (Proverbs 5:15) — to drink water out of our own fountains, and let the rivulets go past, that they may flow onwards to others. (664) The Macedonians, on the other hand, making no account of themselves, and almost losing sight of themselves, concerned themselves

Galatians 3:11 — 11.But that no man, is justified by the law. He again argues from a comparison of contradictory schemes. “If we are justified by faith, it is not by the law: but we are justified by faith therefore it is not by the law.” The minor is proved

Galatians 3:22 — Scripture, leaves nothing to men but condemnation; for all men, with their works, are pronounced to be unrighteous: who then shall live by the law?” He alludes to these words, “He who shall do these things, shall live in them.” (Leviticus 18:5.) Shut out by it, says he, from life through guilt, in vain should we seek salvation by the law. — The word translated all (τὰ πάντα) signifies all things, and conveys more than if he had said all men; for

Galatians 5:21 — 21.Of which I tell you before. By this awful threatening he intended not only to alarm the Galatians, but likewise to glance indirectly at the false apostles, who had laid aside the far more valuable instruction, and spent their time in disputing about

Colossians 2:22 — has made mention — because they make religion consist in things outward and frail, which have no connection with the spiritual kingdom of God; and secondly, because they are from men, not from God. He combats the first argument, also, in Romans 14:17, when he says, The kingdom of God is not in meat and drink; likewise in 1 Corinthians 6:13, Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats: God will destroy both. Christ also himself says, Whatever entereth into the mouth defileth not the man,

1 Thessalonians 2:4 — committed to him as a faithful and approved servant. Now, God approves of those whom he has formed for himself according to his own pleasure. Not as pleasing men. What is meant by pleasing men has been explained in the Epistle to the Galatians, (Galatians 1:10) and this passage, also, shews it admirably. For Paul contrasts pleasing men, and pleasing God, as things that are opposed to each other. Farther, when he says — God, who trieth our hearts, he intimates, that those who endeavor to obtain the

1 Timothy 3:8 — manifest from other passages, that the term bishop belongs alike to all presbyters. (63) All are constrained to acknowledge this; and more especially a passage in the first chapter of the Epistle to Titus proves clearly that this is the meaning. (Titus 1:7.) It remains to be stated that we understand “the deacons” to be those who are mentioned by Luke, (Acts 6:3,) and who had the charge of the poor. But those who wish to have a more full account of the duties of deacons may consult the Institutes.