Romans 1:8-16

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 1:16-18

Paul here enters upon a large discourse of justification, in the latter part of this chapter laying down his thesis, and, in order to the proof of it, describing the deplorable condition of the Gentile world. His transition is very handsome, and like an orator: he was ready to preach the gospel at Rome, though a place where the gospel was run down by those that called themselves the wits; for, saith he, I am not ashamed of it, Rom. 1:16. There is a great deal in the gospel which such a man as... 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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 1:16-17

1:16-17 I am proud of the good news, for it is the power of God which produces salvation for every one who believes, to the Jew first and to the Greek. The way to a right relationship with God is revealed in it when man's faith responds to God's fidelity, just as it stands written, "It is the man who is in a right relationship with God as a result of his faith who will live." When we come to these two verses, the preliminaries are over and the trumpet call of Paul's gospel sounds out. Many... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, for you all ,.... After the inscription and salutation, follows a thanksgiving, which begins the epistle: it is usual with the apostle in all his epistles to make requests for the churches, with thanksgivings for mercies; his view in it was, to glorify God, to testify his affection to the saints, and to show that all they had must be referred to the grace of God. The object of thanksgiving is God not merely as a creator and preserver, but as a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:9

For God is my witness, whom I serve ,.... These words are an appeal to God, and carry in them the nature and form of an oath; the reason of the apostle's using it was, because he was personally unknown to the Romans, and they to him, and so might doubt of his affectionate regard unto them; and therefore for the confirmation thereof he uses it: this was a case which was only known to God and himself, and hence he appeals to him for the truth of it. The object of his oath or appeal, or by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:10

Making request, if by any means now at length ,.... A principal thing, which be incessantly and importunately requested at the throne of grace, was, that he might have an opportunity of coming to them; that God in his providence would open a way for him; and that he might have a safe and comfortable journey in a very little time; all which he submits to the will of God, as a good man ought to do; and which he thus expresses, I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God, to come... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:11

For I long to see you ,.... Not the city of Rome, which was one of Austin's three wishes to have seen in its glory; nor the emperor of it, nor the senate in it, nor its populous inhabitants, fine buildings, riches and grandeur; but the poor saints there, which were the excellent men of the earth, of the whole Roman empire, and in whom was his delight: his desire to see them was not to gratify his curiosity, nor to spend his time in idle chat with them, nor with a view to enrich himself by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:12

That is, that I may be comforted together with you ,.... This is a further explanation of his view, in being desirous of coming to them, and preaching: the Gospel among them; for what makes for establishment, makes for comfort; and what makes for comfort, makes for establishment; and when souls are established, ministers are comforted as well as they; and whilst ministers are imparting their spiritual gifts for the use of others, they themselves are sometimes comforted of God in their work,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:13

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren ,.... The apostle calls them brethren, because many of them were Jews, his brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh, and all of them were his brethren in a spiritual relation; and this he does to express his affection to them, and engage their attention and credit to him, and particularly to this matter which he now acquaints them with, being unwilling they should be ignorant of it; that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you : it was not a... read more

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