Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
18. For I will not dare, &c.] This ver. may be paraphrased, “To justify this exultation, I need not presumptuously intrude on the work of others, putting in a false claim to credit for that work: I need only speak of what Christ has done through my personal efforts, both of preaching and miracle, in bringing Gentile converts to Him, &c.” The sentence evidently glides from the negative to the positive in the course of this verse.
which Christ hath wrought ] St Paul recognizes the Saviour as the personal and present Worker. Cp. Mat 28:20, and the suggestive words (Act 1:1) “all that Jesus began to do and teach” as if His doing and teaching continued in the work of His messengers. Cp. also 1Co 15:10; Gal 2:20.
me ] Emphatic in the Greek.
obedient ] To the Gospel. See on Rom 10:3.
deed ] Specially (see next verse) deeds of miracle. Cp. Act 13:9-12; Act 14:8-10; Act 15:12; Act 16:18; Act 19:11-12; Act 20:10-12; Act 28:3-9. St Paul elsewhere distinctly claims miraculous gifts, 1Co 14:18; 2Co 12:12. In his life and teaching, as in the whole of Scripture, the natural and the supernatural are inextricably interwoven: the strongest reality of practical plans and efforts, and the most vigorous reasonings, stand linked with open references to, and cogent proofs of, the special presence around him of “the powers of the world to come.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For I will not dare to speak – I should be restrained; I should be afraid to speak, if the thing were not as I have stated. I should be afraid to set up a claim beyond what is strictly in accordance with the truth.
Which Christ hath not wrought by me – I confine myself strictly to what I have done. I do not arrogate to myself what Christ has done by others. I do not exaggerate my own success, or claim what others have accomplished.
To make the Gentiles obedient – To bring them to obey God in the gospel.
By word and deed – By preaching, and by all other means; by miracle, by example, etc. The deeds, that is, the lives of Christian ministers are often as efficacious in bringing people to Christ as their public ministry.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Rom 15:18-19
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient.
Pauls success
I. Its extent.
1. Matter of notoriety.
2. Needed no attempt on the part of the apostle to exaggerate it.
II. The means.
1. Word.
2. Deed.
III. The power.
1. Christs.
2. Exerted through the Holy Spirit.
3. Displayed in signs and wonders. (J. Lyth, D.D.)
The work of missions
I. Its object. To make the Gentiles obedient to the gospel.
II. Its agencies and means.
1. Christ, the Supreme Director, who works in us to will and to do.
2. Converted men, the instruments by word and deed.
3. The Spirit of God, the efficient power displayed in signs and wonders.
III. Its sphere.
1. Commencing at Jerusalem.
2. Embracing the Gentile world.
3. Throughout which the gospel must be fully preached. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
Invincible power
One of Satans artifices is to induce men to attempt to reduce the gospel to a mere system within the reach of human intellect; and in this attempt they have gone far to deny and reject everything supernatural. But so long as we have the Book of God in our hands, and the power of the Spirit of God to accompany its hallowed truths, we shall dare to insist upon thee gospel being the power of God unto the salvation of every one that believeth. Paul always advocated the old-fashioned doctrine, It is not by might or by power, etc. Note–
I. The success of Pauls preaching the gospel
1. I have fully preached the gospel of Christ (Rom 15:19). Then it was a pure gospel (Gal 1:8-9). He did not mix law and gospel together (Rom 3:20; Eph 2:8). In his preaching I mark four things prominent: and a man does not preach a pure gospel who does not preach all four.
(1) Principles (1Co 3:11). What principles? They are summed up in By grace are ye saved (Eph 2:8). Well, then, there is nothing for works, as he urges elsewhere (Rom 11:6).
(2) Privileges (Gal 4:6; Rom 8:16).
(3) Promises. Paul dwelt on these with delight, but he never set them forth as dependent upon creature doings, or as subject to contingencies (2Co 1:20).
(4) Precepts. In his Epistles, which he commences with doctrine, and proceeds with experimental godliness; but he always closes with the most pressing exhortations to every good word and work.
2. His success in the pure preaching of the gospel. He talks about mighty signs and wonders and names one in the preceding verse, viz., that the Gentiles should be made obedient by word and deed. It is one of the greatest miracles when God brings a poor ruined sinner down to obedience to the sceptre of Christ. Pauls success lay in–
(1) The rescuing of Satans slaves.
(2) Refreshing and establishing the Churches of the living God, so that they were built up in their most holy faith.
(3) Thus the glorifying of Jesus name.
II. Its efficiency. It was by the power of the Spirit of God–and truly such mighty signs and wonders are never accomplished by any other power. This power–
1. Is invincible–it is sure to conquer, and accomplish that for which it was designed. Every other power is found to be conquerable! The power of the Holy Ghost is so invincible, that the most stubborn hearts must yield, and the most confirmed habits of idolatry, or of licentiousness, are vanquished.
2. Defies all hostility.
3. Is new creating. All creation, in a spiritual point of view, is a chaos under the fall, until the Spirit calls to a new state of existence the souls that were destitute of it.
III. Pauls triumph concerning his success.
1. The wonders of Gods grace, the miracles accomplished, the triumphs of the Cross, and the extension of the Redeemers kingdom, made Paul rejoice. Here is a criterion by which we are to judge of every faithful minister of Christ.
2. Moreover, in all his exultations he took care to neutralise and give the negative to the boastings of proud free will. (J. Irons.)
The power of the gospel
I. Its source, God.
II. Its medium, the Spirit of God.
III. Its evidence, Signs and wonders–miraculous, moral and spiritual. (J. Lyth, D.D.)
So that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.—
The preaching of the gospel
I. In what light is the gospel to be preached by its ministers. Surely in the same in which it was preached by the apostle, viz.
1. As it reveals the ground of a sinners acceptance with God.
2. As it furnishes the only perfect rule of moral conduct, and the only efficient motive, love.
3. As it unveils the mysteries of a future state.
II. How the apostle preached the gospel.
1. Fully. He shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God; he instructed, exhorted, and warned that they might grow in grace in the knowledge of Christ (Act 20:20). The gospel should be thus fully preached.
(1) Because it is connected with the spiritual and eternal interests of the hearers. A physician would be considered in the last degree criminal who trifled with his patient; but the gospel minister is charged with the cure of souls.
(2) Because failure here will contract awful guilt upon the preacher (Eze 3:17-21).
2. Extensively. Paul carried it from Jerusalem to Illyricum. He was not weary in well-doing, but continued active and diligent to the end. The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. But how many places are there yet destitute of sufficient means of grace! This, then, is a call upon our zealous exertions.
Conclusion: Note–
1. That natural and acquired talents may be efficiently employed in promoting the cause of religion. This is well illustrated in the case of Paul. What are the talents God has entrusted to you? Wealth? Influence? Zeal? Use them all for God.
2. The gospel is worthy of all acceptation. (D. Jones.)
The evangelisation of the world a practicable work
I. Let us estimate Pauls missionary work. Note–
1. The length of time during which it was done. He began very shortly after his conversion, and carried it on till his martyrdom; a period of about thirty years. From those thirty years the time spent in Arabia and in prison has to be deducted.
2. The helps by which the work was done.
(1) His strong faith that the gospel was the power of God to every one who believed.
(2) His fervent love to Christ.
(3) His great love to mankind.
(4) His good natural capacity and education.
(5) The gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon him so largely.
(6) His companions.
(7) His Roman citizenship.
3. His hindrances.
(1) He was a Jew, and the great contempt in which the Jewish race was held by the Gentiles must have been an immense hindrance to the apostle as he went about preaching salvation through a crucified Jew.
(2) He was by no means a strong man physically. He suffered much through infirmity of the flesh.
(3) His speech was not acceptable to some. Not only did the unconverted Athenians ask, What will this babbler say? but there were Christians at Corinth who pronounced his speech contemptible.
(4) His ungenerous critics did acknowledge that his writings were weighty and powerful; but in regard to them he laboured under a very great disadvantage. The art of printing had not been invented, and if he wrote an epistle intended for more Churches than one, well, then, it was slowly passed from one to another. And not only so; those who had the charge of Churches did not always like to read Paul’s epistles to the people (1Th 10:27). Here in the apostolic age is the germ of the evil practice of withholding the Word of God from the laity.
(5) Travelling in those days was very slow, difficult and dangerous, whether by land or sea.
(6) The apostle chose to labour for his own support at his trade as a tent-maker.
(7) He was hindered by Jews and Judaisers wherever he met with them.
(8) The other apostles were not very much in sympathy with him.
4. The extent of his work. To say nothing of his preaching at Damascus and neighbourhood, from Jerusalem, substantially through Asia Minor together with Macedonia and Achaia, westward to the shores of the Adriatic, the apostle preached the gospel of Christ. And not only so he could say, I have fully preached it. This work was by no means of a superficial character. As to the results, they were various; sometimes very few were converted, sometimes very many. The power of the gospel was acknowledged by enemies of Christ at Thessalonica and Ephesus. Therefore the apostle really did so evangelise that large tract of country, and if the Churches planted in those regions had done their duty, most certainly all the inhabitants would have been brought to Christ.
II. From this summary of the apostles work we may learn that the evangelisation of the world is really a practicable thing. This is not universally acknowledged. Of course, a very large proportion of those who do not believe the gospel, utterly deny it, and there are Christian people who do not seem to be very strongly convinced of it, for if they were, surely they would think of it, pray for it, and give towards it more.
1. Here was a great work done through Gods grace by this one man in a space of thirty years. Sixty periods of thirty years have passed by since. Now, supposing that, during these periods, there had been in each–that is in each generation–just one man like Paul, the world would have been more nearly evangelised than it is.
2. Compare–Pauls helps with our own.
3. Whatever Pauls helps might be, his hindrances were greater than ours. Conclusion: Then the evangelisation of the world has not proceeded just because Christians have not done their duty. But for the apathy of our forefathers we should not be held accountable. Let us cheer ourselves with the thought that the work is really practicable. And certainly the results of Christian missionary effort in modern times are such as to encourage the most sanguine hope. The evangelisation of the whole world is quite within the reach of practical religion. It can be done: it ought to be done: let it be done! (H. Stowell Brown.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 18. For I will not dare to speak] If the thing were not as I have stated it, I would not dare to arrogate to myself honours which did not belong to me. But God has made me the apostle of the Gentiles; and the conversion of the Gentiles is the fruit of my ministry, Christ having wrought by me for this purpose.
By word and deed] . These words may refer to the doctrines which he taught and to the miracles which he wrought among them. So they became obedient to the doctrines, on the evidence of the miracles with which they were accompanied.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
q.d. I dare not speak of more than is true, or of any thing that was not really done by me: or else the meaning is, I dare not speak of any thing that I have done of myself, I acknowledge that, whatever good hath come to the Gentiles by my means, it was wrought by Christ, whose instrument I have only been: see 1Co 3:5.
By word and deed: some join these words to the obedience of the Gentiles; by the preaching of the gospel they were made obedient in word and deed. But they are better joined with the former words; Christ wrought in and by the apostle Paul, believed word and deed. By word is understood his public preaching, and private instruction; and by deed, the example of his good works, or godly life: or else, by deed ye may understand the miracles that he wrought, and the labour and travail that he underwent; of which in the following verse.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18-22. For I will not dare to speakof any“to speak aught”
of those things which Christhath not wrought by mea modest, though somewhat obscure formof expression, meaning, “I will not dare to go beyond whatChrist hath wrought by me”in which form accordinglythe rest of the passage is expressed. Observe here how Paul ascribesall the success of his labors to the activity of the living Redeemer,working in and by him.
by word and deedbypreaching and working; which latter he explains in the next clause.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things,…. He suggests that the false teachers did speak of things which were not done by them at all, and much less were what Christ had done by them; and signifies that he was a conscientious man, and could speak nothing but what was truth; his conscience would not suffer him, nor could he allow himself to make mention of anything, that was not done by him, as if it was; nor of anything that was done by himself, nor of anything that was done, as if it was done by himself, but as it was wrought by Christ; nor had he any need to speak of any other things which he had wrought himself, as he could not of what he had not wrought at all; or, as he says,
which Christ hath not wrought by me: signifying that what he had wrought, and which he could with good conscience speak of to the honour of Christ, and the glory of his grace, were not wrought by himself, but what Christ wrought by him; he was only the instrument, Christ was the efficient cause: as a Christian, it was not he that lived, but Christ lived in him; as a minister, it was not he that spoke, but Christ spoke in him; nor was it he that laboured, but the grace of Christ that was with him; much less was it he that converted souls, but Christ did it by him:
to make the Gentiles obedient; the nations of the world, who had been brought up in blindness and ignorance of God, in rebellion and disobedience to him. The Gospel was sent among them, and was blessed unto them, to make them, of disobedient, obedient ones; not to men, but to God; not to magistrates and ministers, though they were taught to be so to both, but to Christ; to him as a priest, by being made willing to be saved by him, and him only, renouncing their own works, and disclaiming all other ways of salvation; and to submit to his righteousness for their justification before God, and acceptance with him; and to deal with his precious blood for pardon and cleansing; to rely on his sacrifice for the atonement of their sins, and to make use of him as the new and living way to the Father, as their one and only mediator, advocate, and intercessor; and to him as a prophet, to the faith of the Gospel, and the doctrines of it; not barely by hearing it, and notionally assenting to it, but by embracing it heartily, and professing it publicly and sincerely; and to him as a King, by owning him as such, and as theirs; and by subjecting to his ordinances, and obeying his commands in faith and fear, and from love to him: the means whereby these persons were brought to the obedience of Christ, and of faith, are
by word and deed; or “deeds”, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read: by the former is meant, the word of the Gospel and the preaching of it, being sent unto them, and coming with power, and not as the word of man, but as the word of God; and by the latter, either the labour of the apostle, the pains he took, the hardships he endured, in ministering: the Gospel to them; or his agreeable life and conversation, which were a means of recommending the word, and of engaging an attention to it; or rather the miraculous works and mighty deeds which were wrought by the apostle, in confirmation of the doctrine he preached, as it seems to be explained in Ro 15:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Any things save those which Christ wrought through me ( ‘ ). Rather, “any one of those things which Christ did not work through me.” The antecedent of is the unexpressed and the accusative relative (object of ) is attracted into the genitive case of after a common idiom.
By word and deed ( ). Instrumental case with both words. By preaching and life (Luke 24:19; Acts 1:1; Acts 7:22; 2Cor 10:11).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1 ) “For I will not dare,” (ou gar tolmeso) “Because I will not dare,” or presume, with egotism or arrogance of self-glory, for “no flesh” should glory in God’s presence, 1Co 1:29; 1Co 1:31.
2) “To speak of any of those things,” (ti lalein on) “To speak or express myself at length of anything which”; 1Co 2:2-5; 1Co 3:5-8; 1Co 3:21. Paul dare not lay claim to work done by Apollos, Cephas, Christ, or any other for such claim for credit was vainglorious and dishonorable, 1Co 3:8.
3) “Christ hath not wrought by me,” (ou kateirgasato Christos di’ emou) “Christ did not work out through me”; He would not attempt to take credit for the work of others, or lay false claims for credit for work others had done, Gal 2:8; 1Co 15:10-11. Christ working in Paul was the key to his success. Let us profit from this lesson, Joh 15:5-6.
4) “To make the Gentiles obedient, by Word and deed,” (eis hupakoen ethnon logo kai ergo) “For (obtaining) obedience of the Gentiles or nations in Word and work,” or in deed, in what they do and the way they live, in profession and in practice, Jas 1:22; Mat 5:15-16; Rom 12:1-2.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
18. In order to make the Gentiles obedient, etc. These words prove what his object was, even to render his ministry approved by the Romans, that his doctrine might not be without fruit. He proves then by evidences that God by the presence of his power had given a testimony to his preaching, and in a manner sealed his apostleship, so that no one ought to have doubted, but, that he was appointed and sent by the Lord. The evidences were word, work, and miracles. It hence appears that the term work includes more than miracles. He at last concludes with this expression, through the power of the Spirit; by which he intimates that these things could not have been done without the Spirit being the author. In short, he declares that with regard to his teaching as well as his doing, he had such strength and energy in preaching Christ, that it was evidently the wonderful power of God, and that miracles were also added, which were seals to render the evidence more certain.
He mentions word and work in the first place, and then he states one kind of work, even the power of performing miracles. The same order is observed by Luke, when he says that Christ was mighty in word and work, (Luk 24:19😉 and John says that Christ referred the Jews to his own works for a testimony of his divinity. (Joh 5:36.) Nor does he simply mention miracles, but gives them two designations. But instead of what he says here, the power of signs and of wonders, Peter has “miracles and signs and wonders.” (Act 2:22.) And doubtless they were testimonies of divine power to awaken men, that being struck with God’s power, they might admire and at the same time adore him; nor are they without an especial meaning, but intended to stimulate us, that we may understand what God is.
This is a striking passage respecting the benefit of miracles: they are designed to prepare men to reverence and to obey God. So you read in Mark, that the Lord confirmed the truth by the signs which followed. (Mar 16:20.) Luke declares in the Acts, that the Lord by miracles gave testimony to the word of his grace. (Act 14:3.) It is then evident that those miracles which bring glory to creatures and not to God, which secure credit to lies and not to God’s word, are from the devil. The power of the Spirit, which he mentions in the third place, I apply to both the preceding clauses. (454)
(454) Some, as [ Beza ] and [ Grotius ], understand by the last clause, “through the power of the Spirit of God,” the internal power of speaking with tongues, etc., and by “signs and wonders,” the external work of healing the sick, etc. But this passage is evidently an instance of the Apostle’s usual mode of stating things. “Word” means preaching; and “work,” the doing of miracles. He first specifies the last, the work was that of “signs and wonders;” and then he mentions what belongs to the first, and shows how it became effectual, that is, through the power of the Spirit. See a similar arrangement in 1Co 6:11; where he mentions washed, sanctified and justified; and then he mentions first what belongs to the last, “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” and afterwards what appertains to the first words, “and by the Spirit of our God.” “Signs and wonders” are often mentioned together: they designate the same things by different names: miracles were called “signs,” because they were evidences of divine power, and they were called “wonders,” or prodigies, because they were not according to the course of nature, but were extraordinary things. By these words their design and character are set forth. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(18) Nor in basing my claims upon this head do I go at all beyond my own proper province. I will take credit for no mans labours but my own. They have, indeed, been quite signal enough.
I will not dare to speak.I have a certain just and legitimate pride, but I shall not, therefore, presume to boast of successes of which others have been the instrument. All successes in the mission field are due ultimately to Christ; for some he has made use of me, for others of other men. I will confine myself to those in which I have been myself directly concerned.
To make the Gentiles obedient.Comp. Rom. 1:5, for obedience to the faith among all nations (i.e., to bring over all the Gentiles into obedience to the faith; see Note).
By word and deed.This goes with the phrase wrought by me, and signifies either by preaching or by miracles.
It will be seen that the structure of this verse is not, in a rhetorical sense, quite elegant. The Apostle uses a negative form of sentence where a positive form would seem to be more appropriate. Instead of saying, I will confine myself to what Christ has wrought by me, he says, I will not speak of what Christ has not wrought by me, though the description which follows is that of his own ministry.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. Not dare to speak As some false boasters do.
Not wrought He will not boast of conquests he has never really achieved.
Word and deed Qualifying wrought.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ,’
Paul assures them that he is making no claims apart from what pertains to his own ministry. He is only presenting to them the facts of what the Messiah has wrought through him, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles to the Gospel of Christ. Compare for this idea Rom 1:5. It is referring to the obedience that springs from faith.
And he then stresses the widespread and full nature of what the Messiah has wrought through him as a Messianic messenger:
He has wrought through him in word and deed, that is in preaching and behaviour, and powerful activity (compareLuk 24:19).
He has wrought through him in the power (dunamis) of signs and wonders, which are confirmatory of God’s powerful Messianic activity through him (compareAct 2:22; Act 2:43; Mat 11:2-6).
And He has wrought through him in the power of the Holy Spirit (compareMat 12:28).
And the consequence of this has been that the Gospel of the Messiah has been fully and effectively preached from Jerusalem and round about, even as far as Illyricum. Illyricum was north and north-west of Macedonia, and was thus apparently the farthest region that Paul reached. We are not told of a ministry there but it is very probable that he preached in Illyricum while journeying along the Egnatian Way on his way from the Adriatic coast to Macedonia. On the other hand he may simply be indicating the southern boundary of Illyricum, beyond which he had not gone.
‘Fully preached.’ He had not just proclaimed the Messiah, he had ensured that the whole truth about Him was conveyed in an intensive ministry.
‘From Jerusalem and round about.’ He is not meaning that he commenced at Jerusalem but that he did at some stage preach the Gospel in Jerusalem and Judaea (Act 9:26-30; Act 26:20). As with the other Apostles he saw the Gospel as issuing forth from Jerusalem (Act 1:8; Isa 2:2-4). He may also have had in mind that it was in Jerusalem that he received official recognition of his ministry from the Apostles (Gal 1:18; Gal 2:7-9).
‘In the power of signs and wonders.’ Compare Act 15:12 which indicates the importance of ‘signs and wonders’ as a seal on his ministry. ‘Signs and wonders’ were a feature of the ministry of the Messiah (Act 2:22; compare Mat 11:2-6)), and of His Apostles in His Name (Act 4:30; Act 2:43; Act 5:12; compare Mar 13:22 where they were a sign presented by false Messiahs). Paul could describe them as ‘the signs of an Apostle’ (2Co 12:12). There may also have been an intention, both in Acts and here, to link the Apostolic ministry with that of the Exodus, seeing it as continuing the ongoing activity of God in salvation history, for ‘signs and wonders’ were seen as an essential part of the Exodus (Exo 7:3; Deu 4:34; Deu 6:22; Deu 7:19; Deu 26:8; Deu 29:3; Deu 34:11; Neh 9:10; Psa 78:43; Psa 105:27; Psa 135:9).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rom 15:18 . Negative confirmation of what is asserted in Rom 15:17 . The correct explanation is determined partly by the connection, to be carefully observed, of with ., partly by the order of the words , according to which must have the emphasis, not (Theodoret and others, including Calovius, Olshausen, Fritzsche, Tholuck). Hence: “ for I will not (in any given case) embolden myself to speak about any of those things (to boast of anything from the sphere of that) which Christ has not brought about through me, in order to make the Gentiles obedient to Him, by means of word and work .” That is, affirmatively expressed: for I will venture to let myself be heard only as to such things, the actual fulfilment of which has taken place by Christ through me , etc.; I will therefore never pride myself on anything which belongs to the category of those things, which have not been put into execution by Christ through me. [23] This would be an untrue speaking of results, as if the Lord had brought them about through me which nevertheless had not taken place .
. ] namely, through the adoption of faith in Him; comp. Rom 1:5 .
. ] applies to . .
[23] The objection of Hofmann: “The non-actual forms no collective whole, as a constituent element of which a single thing might be conceived,” is a mere empty subtlety. Had Paul, e.g. , boasted that Christ had wrought many conversions through him when he was in Athens, he would have spoken about something which would have been a single instance out of the category of the non-actual , namely, of that which Christ has not wrought . The view of Hofmann himself amounts to the sense, that the apostle wished to set aside all his own, which was not a work of Christ performed through him, with the object of converting the Gentiles . But thus, through the contrast of his own and the work of Christ , the emphasis would be transposed, resting now on , as if it ran .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Ver. 18. To make the Gentiles, &c. ] Christ by his gospel subdued the Britons, whom the Romans with all their force could never subdue, as Tertullian observed. a
a
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
18. ] The connexion is: ‘I have real ground for glorying (in a legitimate and Christian manner);’ for I will not (as some false apostles do, see 2Co 10:12-18 ) allow myself to speak of any of those things which ( for , , attr.) Christ did NOT work by me (but by some other) in order to the obedience (subjection to the Gospel) of the Gentiles (then, as if the sentence were in the affirmative form, ‘I will only boast of what Christ has veritably done by me towards the obedience of the Gentiles,’ he proceeds) by word and deed ,
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Rom 15:18 f. All other boasting he declines. .: in effect this means, I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ wrought through me. This is the explanation of . The things which Christ did work through Paul He wrought with a view to obedience on the part of the Gentiles: cf. Rom 1:5 . This combination Christ working in Paul, to make the Gentiles obedient to the Gospel is the vindication of Paul’s action in writing to Rome. It is not on his own impulse, but in Christ that he does it; and the Romans as Gentiles lie within the sphere in which Christ works through him. : refers to the preaching, to all he had been enabled to do or suffer in his calling. 2Co 10:11 , Act 7:22 , Luk 24:19 . . and are the words generally employed in the N.T. to designate what we call miracle: often, too, is used as synonymous (Mar 6:2 ). All three are again applied to Paul’s miracles in 2Co 12:12 , and to similar works in the Apostolic age of the Church in Heb 2:4 : all three are also found in 2Th 2:9 , where they are ascribed to the Man of Sin, whose Parousia in this as in other respects is regarded as counterfeiting that of Christ. is always rendered “wonder” in the A.V., and, as though the word were unequal to the phenomenon, it is never used alone: in all the places in which it occurs is also found. The latter emphasises the significance of the miracle; it is not merely a sight to stare at, but is suggestive of an actor and a purpose. In this passage, “the power” of signs and wonders seems to mean the power with which they impressed the beholders: more or less it is an interpretation of . So “the power” of the Holy Ghost means the influence with which the Holy Spirit accompanied the preaching of the Gospel: more or less it answers to : see 1Th 1:5 and cf. the . , 1Co 2:4 . . . . “The result of Christ’s working through His Apostle is here stated as if the preceding sentence had been affirmative in form as well as sense” (Gifford). : this agrees with Act 9:26-29 , but this, of course, does not prove that it was borrowed from that passage. Even if Paul began his ministry at Damascus, he might quite well speak as he does here, for it is not its chronology, but its range, he is describing; and to his mind Jerusalem (to which, if let alone, he would have devoted himself, see Act 22:18-22 ) was its point of departure. : most modern commentators have rendered this as if it were from Jerusalem and its vicinity , by which they mean Syria (though some would include Arabia, Gal 1:17 ): for this use of see Gen 35:5 , Jdt 1:2 . But most Greek commentators render as in the A.V. “and round about unto Illyricum”. This is the interpretation taken by Hofmann and by S. and H., and is illustrated by Xen., Anab. , vii., i., 14 (quoted by the latter): , , . can (so far as is concerned) either exclude or include Illyricum. Part of the country so called may have been traversed by Paul in the journey alluded to in Act 20:1 f. ( ), but the language would be satisfied if he had come in sight of Illyricum as he would do in his westward journey through Macedonia. . : have fulfilled (fully preached) the Gospel of Christ. Cf. Col 1:25 . Paul had done this in the sense in which it was required of an Apostle, whose vocation (to judge from Paul’s practice) was to lay the foundation of a church in the chief centres of population, and as soon as the new community was capable of self-propagation, to move on.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
dare. See Rom 5:7.
speak. App-121.
wrought. See Rom 1:27; Rom 7:8.
to make . . . obedient = for (App-104.) obedience of (the) Gentiles.
word. App-121.
deed = work.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
18.] The connexion is: I have real ground for glorying (in a legitimate and Christian manner); for I will not (as some false apostles do, see 2Co 10:12-18) allow myself to speak of any of those things which ( for , , attr.) Christ did NOT work by me (but by some other) in order to the obedience (subjection to the Gospel) of the Gentiles (then, as if the sentence were in the affirmative form, I will only boast of what Christ has veritably done by me towards the obedience of the Gentiles, he proceeds) by word and deed,
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 15:18. , for I will not dare) That is, my mind shrinks [from speaking of the things wrought by me] when unaccompanied with [except when accompanied with] Divine influence.- , to speak anything) to mention anything, that I have accomplished, or rather, to preach the doctrine of the Gospel, for the expression is abbreviated, in this manner; I will not dare to speak any (or do any) of those things which Christ (would not speak, or) do by me; for, by word and deed, follows. The Inspiration [Theopneustia] of Paul is here marked: 2Co 13:3.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 15:18
Rom 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,-Before showing the work for which he glories in Christ Jesus he says he will not speak of the things that God hath not wrought by him both through word and deed to make the Gentiles obedient to God. The others of whose work he would not boast are thought to be his converts, who had gone out and done much work in which he might have claimed a part, but he would not. [He confined himself strictly to his own work.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
I will: Pro 25:14, 2Co 10:13-18, 2Co 11:31, 2Co 12:6, Jud 1:9
which: Mar 16:20, Act 14:27, Act 15:4, Act 15:12, Act 21:19, Gal 2:8, 1Co 3:6-9, 2Co 3:1-3, 2Co 6:1
to make: Rom 1:5, Rom 6:17, Rom 16:26, Mat 28:18-20, Act 26:20, 2Co 10:4, 2Co 10:5, Heb 5:9, Heb 11:8
by word: Col 3:17, 2Th 2:17, Jam 1:22, 1Jo 3:18
Reciprocal: Exo 18:1 – God Jdg 5:23 – to the help Jdg 8:3 – God 1Sa 14:45 – he hath 2Sa 23:10 – the Lord 2Ki 5:1 – by him 1Ch 6:15 – by the hand Psa 18:43 – made Psa 45:5 – people Psa 86:10 – For Pro 8:1 – General Pro 15:7 – lips Ecc 9:10 – thy hand Isa 66:8 – shall a nation Mat 13:32 – the least Mat 13:37 – is Mat 24:14 – shall be Mat 25:16 – went Joh 17:20 – for them Act 4:17 – that it Act 4:33 – with Act 7:25 – God Act 19:11 – General Rom 1:13 – even Rom 2:8 – and do not Rom 15:16 – I should 2Co 4:5 – we 2Co 10:12 – we dare not 2Co 10:14 – we stretch not 2Co 12:12 – General Gal 5:7 – obey Eph 3:7 – by Phi 1:25 – for 1Th 1:5 – but 2Th 1:8 – and that 2Th 3:4 – that Heb 2:4 – God Rev 6:2 – and he went
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
:18
Rom 15:18. Nat dare to speak . . . not wrought by me. He would not take credit for work that had been done by others.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 15:18. For I will not dare (be bold, probably in allusion to Rom 15:15) to speak, etc. The emphasis rests not on the word Christ, but on the phrase did not work through me; the contrast being, not with what he did of himself, or strictly with what others did, but more exactly with what Christ had wrought through him. The sense is: I will speak boldly, have my ground of glorying, only in such things as Christ wrought through me.
Unto the obedience of the Gentiles, with this design and result, that they became obedient to Christ by believing in Him.
By word and deed. This phrase qualifies did work through me, etc. Word refers to his preaching; deed includes all the other labors of his apostolic activity.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The indefatigable industry and pains of the holy apostle, in order to the conversion of the Gentiles: From Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum, he fully preached the gospel of Christ. This, according to Parcus’s computation, was little less than a thousand miles. The industry of the apostles, in planting and propagating the gospel of Christ, was almost incredible.
Lord, what pains did they take; what difficulties did they contest and contend with, in that great work!
Observe, 2. That although their industry was great, yet their success was greater than their industry, and beyond all human expectation. This appears by the vast spreading of the gospel in so short a space; From Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum. Within thirty years after our Saviour’s death, the gospel was not only diffused through the greatest part of the Roman empire, but had reached as far as Parthia and India.
Observe, 3. That the gospel or doctrine of Jesus had likewise a wonderful power and efficacy upon the lives and manners of men: the apostle tells us, that the Gentiles who were converted to Christianity, were obedient by word and deed: upon the change of their religion, followed the change of their conversation, and whole course of life.
The reason of all this wonderful success, which St. Paul and other apostles had in preaching the gospel; and that was the extraordinary power of the Holy Ghost, in enabling them to work miracles for the confirmation of the gospel, ver. 19. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
Such was the miraculous power of healing diseases, of casting out devils, of inflicting corporal punishment upon scandalous persons; all which did serve in general for the confirmation of the gospel, and did in particular support the honour and authority of the apostles, and supply the want of the magistrates’ power, which the Christians could not expect whilst the Roman emperors continued heathen: not that all the miraculous powers were given to every one of the apostles, or that they which had them could exercise them at all times, or whenever they pleased; but only as was most expedient for the use and benefit of the church.
Observe, 5. That the apostle, in preaching the gospel, chose to go to such dark and blind places as never heard of the gospel before, rather than amongst them where Christ had been named, that so he might lay the foundation of Christianity himself, and not build upon another man’s foundation: And likewise, that in his ministry the prophecy of Esaias might be fulfilled, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand. Isa 52:15.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Rom 15:18-19. For I will not dare to speak, &c. I will not glory of more than is true and has been really done by my ministry; to make the Gentiles obedient To bring them to the faith, and to the worship and service of the true God; by word and deed By preaching and miracles. The apostle would not speak of what Christ had not wrought by him, but by his disciples, for making the Gentiles obedient; though he might have claimed some praise also from their success. But he would speak only of what Christ had wrought by him personally; namely, that he had preached the gospel with the greatest success, in many of the Gentile countries. Through mighty signs and wonders It does not appear that the apostle intended by these different names to express different things, as some have supposed, namely, that the , signs, were the miracles intended to prove the truth of the doctrine asserted, or message brought by the miracle-worker; and that , wonders, were such miracles as were intended to astonish, and terrify, and draw the attention of beholders; of which sort was the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira with death, and of Elymas with blindness: he doubtless meant miracles in general, by both expressions. In the gospels, the miracles of Christ are commonly called , powers, or mighty works, to express the great power exerted in the performance of them. By the power of the Spirit of God
Enlightening mens minds, and changing their hearts, and thereby rendering the miracles wrought, and the word preached, effectual to their conviction and conversion. So that I have fully preached the gospel of Christ Have made a full declaration thereof, not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God; not keeping back any thing that I had reason to believe would be profitable to my hearers: from Jerusalem, round about unto Illyricum This phraseology implies, that he had propagated the gospel, not in a direct line from Jerusalem to Illyricum, but far and wide, on every hand, through the interjacent countries. Illyricum was a country in Europe, lying between Pannonia and the Adriatic sea. It is now called Sclavonia. In the history of the Acts, there is no mention made of Pauls preaching the gospel in Illyricum. Nevertheless, as that country, on the south, bordered on Macedonia, where Paul often preached, he may, on some occasion, have gone from Macedonia into Illyricum. Yet this supposition is not necessary, as the apostle does not say he preached the gospel in, but only as far as Illyricum: which country, it appears, at the time he wrote this epistle, was the boundary of his preaching westward. Macknight.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
PAULINE PERFECTION
18. For I will not dare to speak of those things which Christ wrought through me unto the obedience of the Gentiles in both word and work.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which {n} Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
(n) Christ was so with me in all things, and by all means, that even if I had wanted to, yet I cannot say what he has done by me to bring the Gentiles to obey the gospel.