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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 1:8-15

We may here observe, I. His thanksgivings for them (Rom. 1:8): First, I thank my God. It is good to begin every thing with blessing God, to make that the alpha and omega of every song, in every thing to give thanks.?My God. He speaks this with delight and triumph. In all our thanksgivings, it is good for us to eye God as our God; this makes every mercy sweet, when we can say of God, ?He is mine in covenant.??Through Jesus Christ. All our duties and performances are pleasing to God only through... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 1:8-15

1:8-15 To begin with, I thank my God for you all through Jesus Christ. I thank him that the story of your faith is told throughout the whole world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in the work of spreading the good news of his Son, is my witness that I continually talk to him about you. In my prayers I am always asking that somehow, soon, at last, I may by God's will succeed in finding a way to come to you. For I yearn to see you, that I may give you a share of some gift which the Spirit gives,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:14

I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians ,.... The meaning is, that he was obliged by the call he had from God, the injunction that was laid upon him by him, and the gifts with which he was qualified, to preach the Gospel to all sorts of men; who are here distinguished into Greeks and Barbarians: sometimes by Greeks are meant the Gentiles in general, in opposition to the Jews; see Romans 1:16 ; but here they design only a part of the Gentiles, the inhabitants of Greece, in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:14

I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians - It has been remarked before that all the nations of the earth, themselves excepted, were termed barbarians by the Greeks. See the origin of the word barbarous in the note on Acts 28:2 ; (note). The apostle considers himself, by his apostolical office and call, under obligation to preach the Gospel to all people, as far as the providence of God might open his way; for this is implied in the Divine commission: - Go ye into all the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:14

Verse 14 14.I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, etc. Those whom he means by the Greeks and the Barbarians, he afterwards explains by adding, both to the wise and to the foolish; which words Erasmus has not rendered amiss by “learned and unlearned,” (eruditos et rudes ,) but I prefer to retain the very words of Paul. He then takes an argument from his own office, and intimates that it ought not to be ascribed to his arrogance, that he thought himself in a manner capable of... 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 1:13-14

A yearning heart. The ministry of the gospel of Christ may be fulfilled in either of two ways—by personal visitation and oral teaching and preaching; or by written communications, in the form of letter or of treatise. Paul, like many since his time, adopted both methods, and it would be hard to say in which he was the more effective. When he could not himself visit a city he could write to those who dwelt there. This difference between the two methods is observable—that by writing he could... read more

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