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Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com


Romans Chapter 15

Romans 15:1

rom 15:1

Infirmities (ἀσθενήματα)

Only here in the New Testament.

Romans 15:8

rom 15:8

Of the circumcision

Of those circumcised. See on the election, Rom 11:7.

Romans 15:9

rom 15:9

It is written

The citations are from Psa 18:50, compare Sa2 22:50; Deu 32:43; Psa 117:1; Isa 11:10.

Confess

Rev., give praise. See on Rom 14:11.

Sing (ψαλῶ)

See on Jam 5:13.

Romans 15:10

rom 15:10

Rejoice (εὐφράνθητε)

Frequently in the New Testament of merry-making. Luk 12:19; Luk 15:23, Luk 15:24. See on fared sumptuously, Luk 16:19.

Romans 15:12

rom 15:12

Root

See on Nazarene, Mat 2:23. Root is a sprout from the root.

He that shall rise to reign

Rev., that ariseth to reign. Literally from the Septuagint. Ariseth to reign is a paraphrase of the Hebrew stands as banner. Bengel says: "There is a pleasant contrast: the root is in the lowest place, the banner rises highest, so as to be seen even by the remotest nations."

Shall - hope

So Septuagint, which is a free rendering of the Hebrew seek or resort to.

Romans 15:14

rom 15:14

Here the Epilogue of the Epistle begins. Bengel says: "As one street often leads men, leaving a large city, through several gates, so the conclusion of this Epistle is manifold."

Goodness (ἀγαθωσύνης)

See on Rom 3:12.

To admonish (νουθετεῖν)

See on Act 20:31.

Romans 15:15

rom 15:15

I have written (ἔγραψα)

Rev., I write. The epistolary aorist. See on Jo1 2:13.

The more boldly (τολμηρότερον)

Not too boldly, but the more boldly because you are full of goodness.

In some sort (ἀπὸ μέρους)

See on Rom 11:25. Rev., in some measure, qualifying I write, and referring to some passage in which he had spoken with especial plainness; as Rom 6:12, Rom 6:19; Rom 8:9; Rom 11:17; Rom 14:3, Rom 14:4, Rom 14:10, Rom 14:13, Rom 14:15, Rom 14:20, etc.

Romans 15:16

rom 15:16

Minister (λειτουργὸν)

See on Rom 13:6.

Ministering (ἱερουργοῦντα)

Only here in the New Testament. Lit., ministering as a priest.

Offering up (προσφορὰ)

Lit., the bringing to, i.e., to the altar. Compare doeth service, Joh 16:2.

Romans 15:17

rom 15:17

Whereof I may glory (τὴν καύχησιν)

Rather, as Rev., my glorying, denoting the act. The ground of glorying would be καύχημα as in Rom 4:2; Gal 6:4, etc.

Those things which pertain to God (τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν)

A technical phrase in Jewish liturgical language to denote the functions of worship (Heb 2:17; Heb 5:1). According with the sacerdotal ideas of the previous verse.

Romans 15:19

rom 15:19

Signs - wonders

See on Mat 11:20.

Round about (κύκλῳ)

Not, in a circuitous track to Illyricum, but Jerusalem and the regions round it. For the phrase, see Mar 3:34; Mar 6:6, Mar 6:36; Luk 9:12; Rev 4:6. For the facts, Acts 13, 19.

Illyricum

Lying between Italy, Germany, Macedonia, and Thrace, bounded by the Adriatic and the Danube. The usual Greek name was Illyris. The name Illyria occurs in both Greek and Latin. Though the shore was full of fine harbors and the coast-land fertile, Greek civilization never spread on the coast. Dyrrachium or Epidamnus was almost the only Greek colony, and its history for centuries was a continuous conflict with the barbarous nations. In the time of the Roman Empire the name spread over all the surrounding districts. In the division between the Eastern and Western Empire it was divided into Illyris Barbara, annexed to the Western Empires and Illyris Graeca, to the Eastern, including, Greece, Epirus, and Macedonia. The name gradually disappeared, and the country was divided between the states of Bosnia, Croatia, Servia, Rascia, and Dalmatia. No mention of a visit of Paul occurs in the Acts. It may have taken place in the journey mentioned Act 20:1-3.

Fully preached (πεπληρωκέναι)

Lit., fulfilled Some explain, have given the Gospel its fall development so that it has reached every quarter.

Romans 15:20

rom 15:20

Have I strived (φιλοτιμούμενον)

The verb means originally to be fond of honor, and hence, from a love of honor, to strive, be ambitious. Compare Co2 5:9; Th1 4:11. The correct sense is to prosecute as a point of honor.

Foundation (θεμέλιον)

See on settle, Pe1 5:10.

Romans 15:22

rom 15:22

I have been hindered (ἐνεκοπτόμην)

Imperfect tense, denoting continuousness, and implying a succession of hindrances. Rev., was hindered. Hence these many times.

Romans 15:23

rom 15:23

Place (τόπον)

Scope, opportunity. So of Esau, Heb 12:17. Compare Rom 12:19; Eph 4:27.

Many (ἱκανῶν)

See on worthy, Luk 7:6. The primary meaning is sufficient, and hence comes to be applied to number and quantity; many, enough, as Mar 10:46; Luk 8:32; Act 9:23, etc. So, long, of time (Act 8:11; Act 27:9). Worthy, i.e., sufficient for an honor or a place (Mar 1:7; Luk 7:6; Co1 15:9). Adequate (Co2 2:16; Co2 3:5). Qualified (Ti2 2:2). Here the sense might be expressed by for years enough.

Romans 15:24

rom 15:24

Spain

The usual Greek name is Iberia. Paul adopts a modification of the Roman name, Hispania.

In my journey (διαπορευόμενος)

Lit., journeying through, or as I pass through.

To be brought on my way (προπεμφθῆναι)

Escorted. See on Act 15:3.

Filled (ἐμπλησθῶ)

Lit., filled full: satiated. Compare Act 14:17; Luk 1:53. Rev., satisfied.

Romans 15:26

rom 15:26

Contribution (κοινωνίαν)

See on fellowship, Act 2:42.

Poor saints (πτωχοὺς τῶν ἁγίων)

More literally, and better, the poor of the saints. Rev., among the saints. All the saints were not poor.

Romans 15:27

rom 15:27

To minister (λειτουργῆσαι)

See on Rom 13:6. By using this word for priestly service, Paul puts the ministry of almsgiving on the footing of a sacrificial service. It expresses the worship of giving.

Romans 15:28

rom 15:28

Sealed - this fruit

Secured to them the product of the contribution. See on Joh 3:33; see on Rev 22:10.

Romans 15:29

rom 15:29

Gospel

Omit, and read blessing of Christ.

Romans 15:30

rom 15:30

Strive together (συναγωνίσασθαι)

The simple verb is used of contending in the games, and implies strenuous effort. Here earnest prayer.

Romans 15:31

rom 15:31

Them that do not believe (τῶν ἀπειθούντων)

See on Rom 10:21. Better, Rev., them that are disobedient.

Romans 15:32

rom 15:32

With you be refreshed (συναναπαύσωμαι ὑμῖν)

See on give rest, Mat 11:28.


Next: Romans Chapter 16