Romans 1:10-13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:10

Verse 10 10.Requesting, if by any means, etc. As it is not probable that we from the heart study his benefit, whom we are not ready to assist by our labors, he now adds, after having said that he was anxious for their welfare, that he showed by another proof his love to them, as before God, even by requesting that he might be able to advance their interest. That you may, therefore, perceive the full meaning, read the words as though the word also were inserted, requesting also, if by any means,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:11

Verse 11 11.For I greatly desire to see you He might, indeed, while absent, have confirmed their faith by his doctrine; but as advice is better taken from one present, he had a desire to be with them. But he explains what his object was, and shows that he wished to undertake the toil of a journey, not for his own, but for their advantage. — Spiritual gifts (34) he calls those which he possessed, being either those of doctrine, or of exhortation, or of prophesy which he knew had come to him... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:12

Verse 12 12.Being not satisfied with this modest statement, he qualifies it, and shows, that he did not so occupy the place of a teacher, but that he wished to learn also from them; as though he said, “I desire so to confirm you according to the measure of grace conferred on me, that your example may also add courage (alacritatem — alacrity) to my faith, and that we may thus mutually benefit one another.” See to what degree of modesty his pious heart submitted itself, so that he disdained not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:13

Verse 13 13.I would not that you should be ignorant. What he has hitherto testified — that he continually requested of the Lord that he might visit them, might have appeared a vain thing, and could not have obtained credit, had he neglected to seize the occasion when offered: he therefore says, that the effort had not been wanting, but the opportunity; for he had been prevented from executing a purpose often formed. We hence learn that the Lord frequently upsets the purposes of his saints, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:1-16

I. INTRODUCTORY . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:8-15

Ministerial sympathy. The apostolic commission has been presented; in this section it is interfused with the sympathy and service of a brother. He is still pre-eminently the preacher of the gospel ( Romans 1:15 ), but he speaks as to those whose faith is one with his own, and who are therefore brethren in a most sacred brotherhood. We may consider, as in some sort distinct though mutually involved—his prayers, and his purpose. I. HIS PRAYERS . Does Paul for one moment here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:8-17

B. Introduction, in which the writer expresses his strong interest in the Roman Church, his long-cherished desire to visit it, and the grounds of this desire. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:8-17

The policy to be pursued in case Paul came to Rome. We tried to appreciate in our last homily the character of the Church to which Paul directed this Epistle. We now pass to the policy he meant to pursue should he ever reach Rome; and which he embodies also in this Epistle. One or two preliminary matters, however, will prepare us for the climax in the paragraph before us. And— I. PAUL LIFTS THE VEIL AND SHOWS HIMSELF AT HIS PRAYERS . It is a case of intercession.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:10

Always (to be connected with δεόμενος following, not, as in the Authorized Version, with the preceding μνείαν ποιοῦμαι ) in my prayers making request, if by any means now at length (in some way at length some day) I may be prospered to come unto you . The word εὐοδωθησόμαι , translated in the Authorized Version, "have a prosperous journey," though rightly so rendered with regard to its etymology and original meaning, does not necessarily imply being prospered in a journey. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:11

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established . Bengel, taking χάρισμα as the special gift of the Holy Ghost consequent on apostolic laying on of hands (cf. Acts 8:17 , Acts 8:18 ), argues from this verse that neither St. Peter nor any other apostle could have been at Rome so far. Though his conclusion is probably true, it does not follow from his premiss; for τὶ χάρισμα πνευματικὸν evidently means generally any gift... read more

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