Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Romans
Book: Romans
Chapter: 15
Overview:
Directions how to behave towards the weak.
(1-7) All to
receive one another as brethren.
(8-13) The
Writing and
preaching of the
Apostle.
(14-21) His purposed journeys.
(22-29)
He requests their prayers.
(30-33)
1-7 Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but
for the
Glory of
God, and the good of others. We must please our
neighbour, for the good of his soul; not
By serving his wicked
will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to
please men, we are not the servants of
Christ.
Christ's whole
Life was a self-denying, self-displeasing
Life. And he is the
most advanced
Christian, who is the most conformed to
Christ.
Considering his spotless purity and
Holiness, nothing could be
more contrary to him, than to be made
Sin and a
Curse for us,
and to have the reproaches of
God fall upon him; the just for
the unjust. He bore the guilt of
Sin, and the
Curse for it; we
are only called to
Bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore
the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to
Bear
the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble,
self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members
one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and
benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given.
Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures.
That comfort which springs from the
Word of God, is the surest
and sweetest, and the greatest stay to
Hope. The
Spirit as a
Comforter, is the
Earnest of our inheritance. This
like-mindedness must be according to the precept of
Christ,
according to his pattern and
Example. It is the
Gift of
God; and
a precious
Gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto
him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages
them
By showing himself as meek and lowly in
Spirit. The same
disposition ought to
Mark the conduct of his servants,
especially of the strong towards the weak. The great
End in all
our actions must be, that
God may be glorified; nothing more
forwards this, than the mutual
Love and kindness of those who
profess religion. Those that agree in
Christ may
Well agree
among themselves.
8-13 Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to
the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have
No excuse for
despising them. The
Gentiles, being brought into the
Church, are
companions in patience and
Tribulation. They should praise
God.
Calling upon all the nations to praise the
Lord, shows that they
shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to
Christ till
we trust in him. And the whole plan of
Redemption is suited to
reconcile us to one another, as
Well as to our gracious
God,
So
that an abiding
Hope of eternal
Life, through the sanctifying
and comforting power of the Holy
Spirit, may be attained. Our
own power will never reach this; therefore where this
Hope is,
and is abounding, the blessed
Spirit must have all the
Glory.
"All joy and peace;" all sorts of true joy and peace,
So as to
suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the
Holy
Spirit.
14-21 The
Apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were
filled with a kind and affectionate
Spirit, as
Well as with
knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and
their dangers, because
God had appointed him the
Minister of
Christ to the
Gentiles.
Paul preached to them; but what made
them sacrifices to
God, was, their
Sanctification; not his work,
but the work of the
Holy Ghost: unholy things can never be
pleasing to the holy
God. The
Conversion of souls pertains unto
God; therefore it is the matter of
Paul's glorying, not the
things of the
Flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not
make one soul obedient, further than the
Spirit of
God
accompanied his labours. He principally sought the good of those
that sat in
Darkness. Whatever good we do, it is
Christ who does
it
By us.
22-29 The
Apostle sought the things of
Christ more than his own
will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to
Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We
must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is
pleasing to
God, before visits and compliments, which may please
us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should
promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the
Conversion of souls.
Christian society is a
Heaven upon
Earth,
an
Earnest of our gathering together unto
Christ at the great
Day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our
Communion with
Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The
Apostle was
going to
Jerusalem, as the
Messenger of
Charity.
God loves a
cheerful giver. Every thing that passes between Christians
should be a proof and instance of the union they have in
Jesus
Christ. The
Gentiles received the
Gospel of
Salvation from the
Jews; therefore were bound to
Minister to them in what was
needed for the body. Concerning what he expected from them he
speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from
God he
speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from
Man, nor
too much from
God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to
have the
Gospel with the
Fulness of its blessings! What
wonderful and happy effects does it produce, when attended with
the power of the
Spirit!
30-33 Let us learn to value the effectual fervent prayers of
the righteous. How careful should we be, lest we forfeit our
interest in the
Love and prayers of
God's praying people! If we
have experienced the
Spirit's
Love, let us not be wanting in
this office of kindness for others. Those that would prevail in
Prayer, must strive in
Prayer. Those who
Beg the prayers of
others, must not neglect to pray for themselves. And though
Christ knows our state and wants perfectly, he will know them
from us. As
God must be sought, for restraining the ill-will of
our enemies,
So also for preserving and increasing the good-will
of our friends. All our joy depends upon the will of
God. Let us
be
Earnest in
Prayer with and for each other, that for
Christ's
sake, and
By the
Love of the Holy
Spirit, great blessings may
come upon the souls of Christians, and the labours of ministers.