Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 15:19
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
19. through mighty signs, &c.] Lit., and better, in the might of signs and wonders, in the might of the Spirit of God. The second clause seems to explain the first; q. d., “and that might was not mine, but of the Spirit.” The “might of signs, &c.” is the might (of influence and effect) resulting from the display of miracle.
signs and wonders ] Same words as Mat 24:24; Mar 13:22; Joh 4:48; Act 2:19; Act 2:22; Act 15:12, &c.; 2Co 12:12; 2Th 2:9; Heb 2:4. There is, no doubt, a difference of precise meaning between the two words; but taken together they are a summary phrase for supernatural works of all kinds.
from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum ] These words are interpreted by some, “from Jerusalem, and thence in a circuitous track to Illyricum.” But the Gr. more properly means, “from Jerusalem and its surroundings even to Illyricum.” The “surroundings” of Jerusalem would be (1) Juda, where St Paul did a work known only from Act 26:20; and (2) neighbouring regions, as Syria, and perhaps “Arabia;” (Gal 1:17: but see Introduction, i. 8 not [47] ). St Paul’s work really began at Damascus; but Jerusalem was his most distant centre of operations. Acts 13-19 forms the best comment on this verse.
[47] note Arabia, however, was then a largely inclusive term. Some have explained St Paul’s absence in Arabia as if it were a first missionary effort; but the context in Galatians 1 points rather to an occasion of Divine intercourse and revelations.
Illyricum ] The Acts contains no mention of Illyricum; and some commentators doubt whether St Paul did more than approach it. But Meyer rightly says that, if so, this verse would be tainted with just that boastfulness ( Grossthuerei) which was so earnestly renounced in Rom 15:18. The narrative of the Acts is manifestly a selection; and see Act 20:1-2 for a suggestion of the possible time of this visit. (See Introduction i. 22).
Illyricum was “an extensive district lying along the E. coast of the Adriatic, from the boundary of Italy on the N. to Epirus on the S., and contiguous to Msia and Macedonia on the East.” It was divided “into two portions, Illyris Barbara, the northern, and Illyris Grca, the southern. Within these limits was included Dalmatia.” (Smith’s Dict. Bibl.) Illyricum thus included the whole or parts of the modern Croatia, Dalmatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Albania.
fully preached ] Lit. fulfilled. Meyer well compares Act 6:7, &c., “the word of God increased; ” i.e. in extent of influence. So here, St Paul “fulfilled” the whole possible scope of the Gospel-message, in point of geographical space, in the direction taken by his work. A fair paraphrase would thus be, “I have carried the Gospel everywhere.” The idea of unreserved doctrinal faithfulness (for which see Act 20:20; Act 20:27), is not suggested by the context here, where the emphasis is on extent of area.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Through mighty signs and wonders – By stupendous and striking miracles; see the note at Act 2:43. Paul here refers, doubtless, to the miracles which he had himself performed; see Act 19:11-12, And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, etc.
By the power of the Spirit of God – This may either be connected with signs and wonders, and then it will mean that those miracles were performed by the power of the Holy Spirit; or it may constitute a new subject, and refer to the gift of prophecy, the power of speaking other languages. Which is its true meaning cannot, perhaps, be ascertained. The interpretations agree in this, that he traced his success in all things to the aid of the Holy Spirit.
So that from Jerusalem – Jerusalem, as a center of his work; the center of all religious operations and preaching under the gospel. This was not the place where Paul began to preach Gal 1:17-18, but it was the place where the gospel was first preached, and the apostles began to reckon their success from that as a point; compare the note at Luk 24:49.
And round about – kai kuklo. In a circle. That is, taking Jerusalem as a center, he had fully preached round that center until you come to Illyricum.
Unto Illyricum – Illyricum was a province lying to the northwest of Macedonia, bounded north by a part of Italy and Germany, east by Macedonia, south by the Adriatic, west by Istria. It comprehended the modern Croatia and Dalmatia. So that taking Jerusalem as a center, Paul preached not only in Damascus and Arabia, but in Syria, in Asia Minor, in all Greece, in the Grecian Islands, and in Thessaly and Macedonia. This comprehended no small part of the then known world; all of which had heard the gospel by the labors of one indefatigable man There is no where in the Acts express mention of Pauls going into Illyricum; nor does the expression imply that he preached the gospel within it, but only unto its borders. It may have been, however, that when in Macedonia, he crossed over into that country; and this is rendered somewhat probable from the fact that Titus is mentioned as having gone into Dalmatia 2Ti 4:10, which was a part of Illyricum.
I have fully preached – The word used here means properly to fill up peplerokenai, to complete, and here is used in the sense of diffusing abroad, or of filling up all that region with the gospel; compare 2Ti 4:17. It means that he had faithfully diffused the knowledge of the gospel in all that immense country.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. Through mighty signs and wonders] This more fully explains the preceding clause: through the power of the Holy Ghost he was enabled to work among the Gentiles mighty signs and wonders; so that they were fully convinced that both his doctrine and mission were Divine; and therefore they cheerfully received the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.
Round about unto Illyricum] Among ancient writers this place has gone by a great variety of names, Illyria, Illyrica, Illyricum, Illyris, and Illyrium. It is a country of Europe, extending from the Adriatic gulf to Pannonia: according to Pliny, it extended from the river Arsia to the river Drinius, thus including Liburnia on the west, and Dalmatia on the east. Its precise limits have not been determined by either ancient or modern geographers. It seems, according to an inscription in Gruter, to have been divided by Augustus into two provinces, the upper and lower. It now forms part of Croatia, Bosnia, Istria, and Slavonia. When the apostle says that he preached the Gospel from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum, he intends his land journeys chiefly; and, by looking at the map annexed to the Acts of the Apostles, the reader will see that from Jerusalem the apostle went round the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and that he passed through Syria, Phoenicia, Arabia, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, Galatia, Pontus, Paphlagonia, Phrygia, Troas, Asia, Caria, Lycia, lonia, Lydia, Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, and Achaia; besides the isles of Cyprus and Crete. And no doubt he visited many other places which are not mentioned in the New Testament.
I have fully preached the Gospel] , I have successfully preached-I have not only proclaimed the word, but made converts and founded Churches. See Clarke on Mt 5:17, where this sense of the word is noticed; for it signifies not only fully or perfectly, but also to teach with prosperity and success.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Through mighty signs and wonders; or, by the power of signs and wonders, which served to confirm my commission from God, and the truth of what I preached, and so helped forward the obedience and conversion of the Gentiles: see 2Co 12:12. If there be any difference betwixt
signs and wonders, it is only gradual. I find them often conjoined in Scripture, Mat 24:24; Joh 4:48; Act 2:43; 5:12; Act 7:36; 14:3.
By the power of the Spirit of God; which blessed the words, deeds, and miracles of the apostle, and wrought effectually by them in the Gentiles. The word , power, or virtue, is twice used in this verse; it is first applied to signs and wonders, to show their efficacy; and then to the Spirit of God, to show that he was the efficient cause of that efficacy.
So that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum: this showeth the pains and travail of the apostle, to bring the Gentiles to the obedience of faith. Illyricum is said to be in the utmost parts of Greece, bordering upon the sea, which is thereupon called Illyricum Mare. It is thought to be the country now called Sclavonia, and that is distant from Jerusalem about three hundred and fifty German miles, which make above a thousand English miles; yet it seems he did not travel in a direct and straight line, but round about, or in a circle, as the word imports, fetching a circuit. Some writers have given us out of the Acts a particular history of his peregrination from Damascus, where he began his ministry: he went into Arabia, and after three years returned to Damascus, and from thence to Jerusalem; from Jerusalem he went to Caesarea, and so to Tarsus; from Tarsus Barnabas brought him to Antioch, and from thence to Jerusalem, to carry relief to the Jews. From Jerusalem they returned to Antioch; from Antioch he and Barnabas went to Seleucia, then to Cyprus, and to some cities of Pamphylia, and so to another Antioch in Pisidia; from thence to Lycaonia, and then returned to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended by the church. From Antioch they were sent to Jerusalem about the question of the circumcision, and returned to Antioch with the apostles decree. From thence he went through Syria and Cilicia, visiting the churches. Then he went through Phrygia, Galatia, and Mysia; then to Troas, where by a vision he was called unto Macedonia, and so came into the parts of Europe; first to Philippi in Macedonia, then to Thessalonica; from thence to Athens, and then to Corinth; from thence to Ephesus; and going to visit the churches of Galatia and Phrygia, returned to Ephesus. From Ephesus he went again to Macedonia; from thence to Troas and Miletus; and thence, by Tyrus and Caesarea, and other cities, he came to Jerusalem, where he was taken and put in bonds. Thus you have an account of the apostles travels, which he abridgeth here, when he says, that it was from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum.
I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; i.e. I have filled all these countries with the gospel of Christ. The word signifieth to fulfil; see Col 4:17. This he calleth the finishing his ministry, Act 20:24.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. Through mightyliterally,”in the power of”
signs and wondersthatis, glorious miracles.
by the power of the Spirit ofGod“the Holy Ghost,” as the true reading seems tobe. This seems intended to explain the efficacy of the word preached,as well as the working of the miracles which attested it.
so that from Jerusalem, andround about unto“as far as”
Illyricumto theextreme northwestern boundary of Greece. It corresponds to the modernCroatia and Dalmatia (2Ti 4:10).See Act 20:1; Act 20:2.
I have fully preached thegospel of Christ.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Through mighty signs and wonders,…. Or “in”, or “through the power of signs and wonders”, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions render the words. These carrying along with them evidence and conviction of the truth of what was delivered, wrought wonderfully and powerfully on the minds of the Gentiles to embrace the Gospel, and submit to the ordinances of it; though all would have been insufficient, had it not been for what follows,
by the power of the Spirit of God: the Alexandrian copy and one of Stephens’s read, “by the power of the Holy Spirit”, and so does the Vulgate Latin version; meaning, either that the mighty signs and wonders in healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, c. were performed not by the efficacy and working of Satan, as the signs and lying wonders of antichristian men, but by the Spirit of God, by whom Christ and all his apostles wrought the miracles they did or that the ministration of the word in which the apostle laboured, was by the power of the Spirit of God; it was he that imparted all spiritual gifts to him, qualifying him for this service; it was he that assisted him in it, and enabled him to go through it; it was in demonstration of the Spirit and of power that he performed it; and that not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth: or else that the obedience of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, through the preaching of the Gospel, and the wonderful works that attended it as means, were purely owing to the power of the Spirit of God, as the efficient cause; it was not by might, or power of the preacher; nor merely by the power of signs and wonders; but by the powerful and efficacious grace of the Spirit of God, who took away the stony, stubborn, and disobedient heart, and gave them an heart of flesh, a tender, flexible, and obedient one; and caused them to walk in and observe the commandments and ordinances of the Lord:
so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ; that which Christ, as God, is the author of; as man, was a preacher and minister of; and, as Mediator, is the subject matter of: this the apostle “preached fully” and completely, every part and branch of it, kept back nothing of it, but faithfully declared the whole; and so fulfilled it, as the word may be rendered, and his ministry; or he filled the Gospel, the net of the Gospel, which he spread in every place; or rather he diffused the knowledge of it everywhere; he filled all places with it wherever he came, even “from Jerusalem” round about unto Illyricum: not that he began to preach at Jerusalem, but at Damascus; from whence he went to Arabia, and after that to Jerusalem; but inasmuch as he was of Jerusalem, and had preached there, from whence the Gospel originally came, and this was the boundary of his ministry one way, he makes mention of it; as Illyricum was the boundary of it another way, which was on the extreme part of Macedonia: it is now called Sclavonia, and is an European nation; part of it is Dalmatia, mentioned 2Ti 4:10. Apollonia was in it, according to Mela z, where the apostle is said to pass through, Ac 17:1, it has on the south the gulf of Venice, on the north the Danube, on the west Germany, and on the east Thracia and Macedonia: according to Ptolomy a, Illyris, or Illyricum, was bounded on the north with upper and lower Pannonia, now called Hungary and Austria; on the east with upper Mysia, now Servia; and on the south with part of Macedonia; it lies over against Italy, the Adriatic sea being between them; its length, from the river Drinus to Arsa, is reckoned about 480 miles, and its breadth, from the mountains of Croatia to the sea, is computed to be about 120: it is by some divided into Slavonia, Dalmatia, and Albania; Slavonia is the western part, Albania the eastern, and Dalmatia between them; according to others, it includes Slavonia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Dalmatia; and had its name of Illyricum, from Illyrius, the son of Cadmus; or as others, from Illyrius, the son of Celta: here the Gospel was preached by the Apostle Paul, and no doubt with success; and churches were planted here, and which remained for several ages: in the “second” century there was a church in Illyricum, and Eleutherius was bishop, who is said to be a famous teacher; he was born at Rome, and his mother Anthia is reported to be converted by the Apostle Paul; in the same age lived one Quirinus, first a tribune, and then a bishop of Illyricum, who became a martyr under Trajan: in the “third” century there were churches in Illyricum, though devastations were made in it by the Goths; in the “fourth” century, frequent mention is made of the churches in Illyricum; and the bishops convened at Rome under Damascus in the times of Constantius wrote with great respect to the brethren in Illyricum; in Siscia, a city in this country, Quirinus a bishop suffered martyrdom; here a synod met against the Arians, and yet many in this country were infected with that heresy, by Valens and Ursatius; in this age Hilary, of Poictiers in France, spread the Gospel in this country; and he and Eusebius of Vercelli, in Piedmont, visited the churches, and corrected what was amiss: in the “fifth” century there was a church in Illyricum, and in Salo, a city of Dalmatia, Glycerius was bishop: in the “sixth” century there were also churches here, as appears from the letter of Symmachus to the bishops of them, and to their people; and in this age also Gregory wrote to all the bishops in Illyricum, to receive such bishops as were banished: in the “eighth” century, the bishops of Illyricum were in the Nycene synod, and Boniface gathered a church in Slavonia b; thus far Christianity may be traced in this country: hither the apostle went, not in a direct line, but round about, and took many countries, cities, and towns in his way, as the history of his journeys and travels in the Acts of the Apostles shows, and as he here suggests.
z De orbis situ, l. 2. c. 10. a Geograph. l. 2. c. 17. b Magdeburg. Eccl. Hist. cent. 2. c. 2. p. 4. c. 10. p. 158. cent. 3. c. 2. p. 4. 14. cent. 4. c. 2. p. 6. c. 3. p. 22. c. 5. p. 181, 182. c. 7. p. 311. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 7. cent. 6. c. 2. p. 7. c. 3. p. 33. cent. 8. c. 2. p. 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In power of signs and wonders ( ). Note all three words as in Heb 2:4, only here is connected with and . See all three words used of Paul’s own work in 2Co 12:12 and in 2Th 2:9 of the Man of Sin. See 1Thess 1:5; 1Cor 2:4 for the “power” of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s preaching. Note repetition of here with .
So that (). Result expressed by the perfect active infinitive (from ) with the accusative (general reference).
Round about even unto Illyricum ( ). “In a ring” (, locative case of ). Probably a journey during the time when Paul left Macedonia and waited for II Corinthians to have its effect before coming to Corinth. If so, see Rom 15:2; Acts 20:1-3. When he did come, the trouble with the Judaizers was over. Illyricum seems to be the name for the region west of Macedonia (Dalmatia). Strabo says that the Egnatian Way passed through it. Arabia and Illyricum would thus be the extreme limits of Paul’s mission journeys so far.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Signs – wonders. See on Mt 11:20.
Round about [] . Not, in a circuitous track to Illyricum, but Jerusalem and the regions round it. For the phrase, see Mr 3:34; Mr 6:6, 36; Luk 9:12; Rev 4:6. For the facts, Acts 13, 19.
Illyricum. Lying between Italy, Germany, Macedonia, and Thrace, bounded by the Adriatic and the Danube. The usual Greek name was Illyris. The name Illyria occurs in both Greek and Latin. Though the shore was full of fine harbors and the coast – land fertile, Greek civilization never spread on the coast. Dyrrachium or Epidamnus was almost the only Greek colony, and its history for centuries was a continuous conflict with the barbarous nations. In the time of the Roman Empire the name spread over all the surrounding districts. In the division between the Eastern and Western Empire it was divided into Illyris Barbara, annexed to the Western Empires and Illyris Graeca, to the Eastern, including, Greece, Epirus, and Macedonia. The name gradually disappeared, and the country was divided between the states of Bosnia, Croatia, Servia, Rascia, and Dalmatia. No mention of a visit of Paul occurs in the Acts. It may have taken place in the journey mentioned Act 20:1 – 3. 6 9 Fully preached [] . Lit., fulfilled Some explain, have given the Gospel its fall development so that it has reached every quarter.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Through mighty signs and wonders,” (en dunamei semeion kai teraton) “In dynamic signs and wonders”; These terms are used to describe miracles that accompanied Paul’s apostolic ministry to attest that he was from God, as of our Lord, Joh 3:2; Mar 6:2; 2Co 12:12; Heb 2:4.
2) “By the power of the Spirit of God “ (en dunamei pneumatos) In enablement or dynamics of (the) Spirit”; the term power refers to the influence of the Holy Spirit that accompanied both the preaching and miracle ministry of God’s men in Old and New Testament days till the Bible was completed, at which time miraculous gifts ceased, Pro 1:22-23; 1Co 13:13; Eph 4:7-12.
3) “So that from Jerusalem,” (hoste me apo lerousalem) So that originating from Jerusalem”; from the home-base of the empowered church, the sanctified, dedicated church, Act 1:8; Act 2:1-4. Directionally his ministry was north, east, and west of Jerusalem, Act 9:28-29; At Antioch Act 11:26; Cyprus Act 13:7-8; Antioch in Pisidia, Act 13:14; Act 13:44-48; Iconium Act 14:11; Lystra and Derbe Act 14:6-7; Perga Act 14:25; Phrygia and Galatia Act 16:6; Philippi Act 16:12-13; Thessalonica Act 17:1-4; Berea Act 17:10-12; Pisidia Act 14:24; Athens Act 17:16; Corinth Act 18:1-13; Ephesus and Asia, Act 19:1-10; Macedonia, Act 20:3; Greece, Act 20:1-38.
4) “And round about unto Illyricum,” (kai kuklo mechri tou Ilurikou) “And around in travel unto Ilyricum”; Round about in mission journeying from Jerusalem in Israel to Illyricum in the Roman Province on the Northeast coast of the Adriatic Sea; all this travel preceded his later visit to Rome, Rom 1:14-16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
19. So that from Jerusalem, etc. He joins also a testimony from the effect; for the success which followed his preaching exceeded all the thoughts of men. For who could have gathered so many churches for Christ, without being aided by the power of God? “From Jerusalem,” he says, “I have propagated the gospel as far as Illyricum, and not by hastening to the end of my course by a straight way, but by going all around, and through the intervening countries.” But the verb πεπληρωκέναι , which after others I have rendered filled up or completed, means both to perfect and to supply what is wanting. Hence πλήρωμα in Greek means perfection as well as a supplement. I am disposed to explain it thus, — that he diffused, as it were by filling up, the preaching of the gospel; for others had before begun, but he spread it wider. (455)
(455) The clause is rendered by [ Beza ] and [ Grotius ], “ Impleverim praedicandi evangelii Christi munus — I have fulfilled the office of preaching the gospel of Christ.” The gospel is put for preaching the gospel. See Act 12:25; Col 1:25 [ Vatablus ] renders the verb “ plene annunciaverim — I have fully announced;” and [ Mede ], “ propagaverim — I have propagated.” Some, as [ Wolfius ] and [ Vitringa ], think the verb is used in a sense borrowed from Hebrew: the verb גמר, which in its common meaning is to fill or to finish, is used in the sense of teaching, not indeed in the Hebrew bible, but in the Talmud. That the idea of teaching, or propagating, or preaching, belongs to it here, and in Col 1:25, is evident. The notion of filling up, which [ Calvin ] gives to it, is hardly consistent with what the Apostle says in Rom 15:20. The full preaching is referred by [ Erasmus ], not to its extent, but to its fidelity, “omitting nothing which a faithful evangelist ought to have proclaimed.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(19) Through mighty signs and wonders.Literally, through the might of signs and wondersi.e., through those extraordinary powers which found their expression in signs and wonders. Signs and wonders is the phrase regularly used throughout the New Testament for the Christian miracles: so frequently in the Gospels. (Comp. also 2Co. 12:12; 2Th. 2:9; Heb. 11:4.) The two words are very similar in meaning. They denote the same acts, but they connote different aspects in which those acts may be regarded. The word signs tends to bring out the symbolical character of the miracle, the spiritual truth of which it was, as it were, the physical expression. In the word wonders stress is laid rather upon its character as a portent, a manifestation of supernatural, divine power. That St. Paul himself claimed miraculous powers is a face that cannot be doubted.
By the power of the Spirit of God.The two clauses at the beginning of this verse correspond roughly to by word and deed at the end of the last. Signs and wonders are the manifestation of the effectual working of Christ in deed. The power of the Spirit of God is exemplified both in deed and in word.
So that . . .It is to be noticed that the language of the Apostle becomes more and more definite and concrete, till he ends by describing the geographical extent of his own labours.
Jerusalem.The Apostle naturally takes this as the terminus quo, partly because it was at this time the centre and head-quarters of Christianity, and also more especially because it was the extreme point eastwards and southwards of his own public ministry. (His sojourn in Arabia, which may include the desert of Sinai, appears to have been of a more private character.)
And round about . . .In a sort of rough curve, embracing a large portion of Asia Minor, and finally turning towards the starting-point again in Illyricum.
Illyricum.A Roman province, stretching along the eastern coast of the Adriatic, and forming the northern boundary of Epirus, and the north-western of Macedonia. Whether St. Paul had actually visited Illyricum does not appear from his language in this passage. Illyricum is the terminus ad quem of his journeyings, but it may be inclusive, or it may be exclusive. The description would be sufficiently satisfied if he had approached the outskirts of Illyricum during his journey through Macedonia. That journey must be the one recorded in Act. 20:2. The earlier journey of Acts 16, 17 can be traced clearly from place to place, and did not extend far enough inland, while the vague expression which we find in Act. 20:2, When he had gone over those parts, affords ample room for the circuit in question. This would place it at the end of the year 57 A.D.
Fully preached.Literally, fulfilled. The translation of our version can perhaps hardly be improved, though, at the same time, it seems probable that what is intended is the publication of the gospel to its full geographical extent, and not the subjective sense in the Apostle of his own fulfilment of the duty of preaching the gospel laid upon him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. Through The sentence proceeds as if the previous verse affirmed what Paul had wrought.
We give the meaning in which commentators are so unanimous that we hardly dare specify a meaning spontaneously taken by our own mind from the words before reading a commentator. Let Rom 15:18 be read with a strong emphasis on not and the following meaning will arise: So great are the things wrought by Christ through me that I will scarce dare to say what he hath not wrought! And then no twist is required to make Rom 15:18-19 run uniform.
Signs As evidences of a supernatural Christianity.
Wonders To arouse the minds of the world.
So that As he has just given the might and power of his mission work, so now he traces its geographical extent. Jerusalem and round about Jerusalem. The English translators seem to understand by , in circle, the sort of geographical curve described by the apostle’s missions from Jerusalem to Illyricum. It more probably means his first circuiting around the region of Jerusalem. (Act 9:28.)
Unto Illyricum (See note on Act 17:9.) Had the apostle prosecuted his westward career from Thessalonica he would have soon gone into Illyricum, which was the next province.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Rom 15:19. Unto IIyricum Though it is evident from this passage, that St. Paul, before the date of this Epistle, which was about the year 58, had preached the Gospel in these regions, it is observable that St. Luke takes no notice hereof in the history of the Acts; where he also omits to mention the journey which the Apostle took to Arabia on his first conversion, and several other remarkable facts referred to in the 11th chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians, and elsewhere. And it is very possible, that the visit to Crete, when Titus was left behind to ordain elders, (Tit 1:5.) might be of this number. See Doddridge, Wall, and Calmet.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Rom 15:19 . In virtue of what powers Christ, by means of word and work, has wrought through the apostle as His organ: (1) . . ., this refers back to ; (2) . , this applies to and together, and is co-ordinated to the above . . . ., not subordinated , as Beza, Glckler, and others think, whereby the language would lose its simplicity and half of its import (the would pass into the background). According to Hofmann, who reads in Rom 15:20 (see the critical notes), a new sentence is meant to begin with . , the verb of which would be . This yields, instead of the simple course of the language, a complicated structure of sentence which is in nowise indicated by Paul himself, as he has not written . (conformably to the following). Besides, the by word and deed (thus the preaching through deeds ), would be a modern conception foreign to the N. T. The accompany and accredit the preaching (Joh 10:38 ; Joh 14:11 ), but they do not preach . Comp. Luk 24:19 ; Act 7:22 ; 2Co 10:11 . If is to be read, then with Lachmann a new sentence is to be begun with Rom 15:20 , so that all that precedes remains assigned to the efficiency of Christ , which is not the case with the view of Hofmann, although it is only in entire keeping with the language of humility which Paul here uses. The genitives are those of derivation: power, which went forth from signs and wonders (which Paul, as instrument of Christ, has performed), and power, which went forth from the , (Holy) Spirit (who was communicated to the apostle through Christ) upon the minds of men . Comp. on . ., 1Co 2:4-5 .
. ] not different in substance; both miracles , both also denoting their significant aspect. See Fritzsche, p. 270 f. The collocation corresponds to the Heb. , hence usually (the converse only in Act 2:22 ; Act 2:43 ; Act 6:8 ; Act 7:36 , comp. Rom 2:19 ) stands first, and where only one of the two words is used, it is always , because was the striking word giving more immediately the character of the thing designated. Contrary to the constant usage of the N. T., Reiche understands not outward miraculous facts, but mental miracles, which the preaching of the gospel has produced in the hearts of the newly-converted. Even 2Co 12:12 is not to be thus understood; see in loc. Miracles belonged to the (2 Cor. l.c.), hence there is already of itself motive enough for their mention in our passage, and there is no need for the precarious assumption of a reference to pseudo-apostolic jugglers in Rome (Ewald).
. . .] is related, not “awkwardly” (Hofmann), to . ; for Christ has, for the sake of His working to be effected through the apostle ( ), given to him the Spirit. Very unnecessarily, and just as inappropriately, since must comprise all the preceding elements,
Hofmann forces . . ., by means of an hyperbaton, into special connection with .
. . .] Result, which this working of Christ through Paul has had in reference to the extension of Christianity.
.] From this spot, where Paul first entered the apostolical fellowship, Act 9:26 ff. (he had already previously worked three years, including the sojourn in Arabia, at Damascus; see on Gal 1:17-18 ), he defines the terminus a quo, because he intends to specify the greatest extension of his working in space (from south-east to north-west). [24]
] enlarges the range of the terminus a quo : and round about , embracing not merely Judaea, but, in correspondence to the magnitude of the measure of length, Arabia and Syria also. Of course, however, is not included in the dependence on , but stands in answer to the question Where? inasmuch as it adds to the statement from, whence the working took place, the notice of the local sphere , which had been jointly affected by that local beginning as its field of action: from Jerusalem, and in a circuit round , Paul has fulfilled the gospel as far as Illyria. Flacius, Calovius, Paulus, Glckler, following Chrysostom, Theodoret, and others, refer to the arc which Paul described in his journey from Jerusalem by way of Syria, Asia, Troas, Macedonia, and Greece to Illyria. According to this, would specify the direction in which he, starting from Jerusalem, moved forward. So also Hofmann. This direction would be that of a curve . But never denotes this, and is never merely the opposite of straight out , but always circumcirca (comp. Jdt 1:2 ; Mar 3:34 ; Mar 6:6 ; Mar 6:36 ; Luk 9:12 ; Rev 4:6 ; very frequently in the Greek writers); and the addition, “ and in the arc of a circle ” would have been very superfluous and indeed like an empty piece of ostentation, seeing that in truth the straight direction from Jerusalem to Illyria passes for the most part through water. No reason also would be discoverable for Paul’s adding the , and not merely writing , in order to express: from Jerusalem in a circular direction as far as Illyria .
.] The idea that Paul, as has recently been for the most part assumed, did not get to Illyria at all , but only to the frontier of this western region during a Macedonian bye-journey, throws upon him an appearance of magnifying his deeds, for which the silence of the Acts of the Apostles, furnishing, as it does, no complete narrative, supplies no warrant. Now, since in Rom 15:23 Illyria may not, without arbitrariness, be excluded from the regions where he has already laboured, because this country would otherwise have still afforded scope for labour, we must assume that Paul had really made an intermediate journey to Illyria. From what starting-point, cannot indeed be shown; hardly so soon as Act 18:11 , but possibly during the journey mentioned in Act 20:1-3 (see Anger, temp. rat . p. 84), so that his short sojourn in Illyria took place not long before his sojourn in Achaia, where he at Corinth wrote the Epistle to the Romans. Tit 3:12 can only be employed in confirmation of this by those who assume the authenticity of the Epistle to Titus, and its composition thus early (see Wieseler, Philippi).
. . .] have brought to fulfilment (comp. Col 1:25 ) the gospel of Christ. This has taken place in an extensive sense through the fact that the gospel is spread abroad everywhere from Jerusalem to Illyria, and has met with acceptance. Analogous is the conception: , Act 6:7 ; Act 12:24 ; Act 19:20 . So long as the news of salvation has not yet reached its full and destined diffusion, it is still in the course of growth and increase; but when it has reached every quarter, so that no place any longer remains for the labour of the preacher (Rom 15:23 ), it has passed from the state of growing increase into the full measure of its dimensions . This view of the sense is alone strictly textual (see Rom 15:23 ), while closely adhering to the literal signification of ., which denotes the message itself, not the act of proclamation (Th. Schott, Mangold); and hence excludes the many divergent interpretations, namely: (1) That of Beza, Piscator, Grotius, Bengel, de Wette, Rckert, in substance also Kllner, Tholuck, van Hengel, and permissively, Reiche, that . is equivalent to munus praedicandi evang ., which it does not mean; similarly Ewald: the executed commission of preaching. (2) That of Luther, Flacius, Castalio, and others: “that I have fulfilled everything with the gospel ,” which is opposed to the words as they stand, although repeated by Baur. (3) That of Theophylact, Erasmus, and others, including Reiche and Olshausen: . . denotes completely to proclaim the gospel. But the “ completely ” would in fact have here no relevant weight at all (such as at Act 20:27 ); for that Paul had not incompletely preached the gospel, was understood of itself. Others arbitrarily take it otherwise still, e.g . Calvin: “praedicationem ev. quasi supplendo diffundere ; coeperunt enim alii priores, sed ipse longius sparsit;” Krehl: that I have put the gospel into force and validity ; Philippi: that I have realized the gospel, have introduced it into life (the gospel appearing as empty , before it is taught, accepted, understood); Hofmann, with comparison of the not at all analogous expression : the message of salvation misses its destination, if it remain unproclaimed whereby would be reduced simply to the notion of .
The whole of the remark, Rom 15:19 f., connected with Rom 15:24 , is to be explained, according to Baur, I. p. 307, simply from the intention (of the later writer) to draw here, as it were, a geographical line between two apostolic provinces, of which the one must be left to Peter. In opposition to such combinations, although Lucht still further elaborates them, it is sufficient simply to put into the scale the altogether Pauline character and emotional stamp of the language in Rom 15:19-33 , in its inner truth, simplicity, and chasteness.
[24] Yet he does not say “from Arabia” (Gal. l.c. ), because it was very natural for him significantly to place the beginning at that spot where all the other apostles had begun their work and the apostolic church itself had arisen in doing which, however, he, by adding , does nothing to the prejudice of history. The less is there to be found in . an inconsistency with the statements of the Epistle to the Galatians. This in opposition to Lucht, who sees also in . . an incorrect statement, and attributes to both points a special design .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Ver. 19. So that from Jerusalem ] Chrysostom observeth, that Plato came three times to Sicily to convert Dionysius the tyrant to moral philosophy, and could not. But Paul fetched a great compass, converted many souls, planted many Churches; and why? Christ sat upon him as upon one of his white horses, and went forth conquering and to conquer, Rev 6:2 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
19. ] in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the [ Holy ] Spirit (the signs and wonders (reff.) are not spiritual, but external miraculous acts, see 2Co 12:12 ), so that (result of the ) from Jerusalem (the eastern boundary of his preaching) and the neighbourhood ( is not to be joined with . . as Calov., al., but refers (reff.) to Jerusalem, meaning perhaps its immediate neighbourhood, perhaps Arabia (?), Gal 1:17 , but hardly Damascus and Cilicia, as De W. suggests, seeing that they would come into the route afterwards specified, from Jerusalem to Illyricum), as far as Illyricum (Illyricum bordered on Macedonia to the S. It is possible that Paul may literally have advanced to its frontiers during his preaching in Macedonia; but I think it more probable, that he uses it broadly as the ‘terminus ad quem,’ the next province to that in which he had preached), I have fulfilled (ref.: ‘ executed my office of preaching ,’so that . = .) the Gospel of Christ .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Through mighty = By (App-104.) the power (App-172.)
signs. App-176.
wonders. App-176.
power. Same Greek. word as for “mighty”.
the Spirit of God. Some texts read “the Holy Spirit” (App-101.)
from. App-104.
unto = as far as. Illyricum. Not mentioned in Acts. It included Montenegro, Albania, Dalmatia, &c.
fully preached. Greek. pleroo, rendered “fill”, “filled”, in verses: Rom 15:13, Rom 15:14. Compare Act 20:24. App-125.
gospel. See App-140.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
19.] in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the [Holy] Spirit (the signs and wonders (reff.) are not spiritual, but external miraculous acts,-see 2Co 12:12), so that (result of the ) from Jerusalem (the eastern boundary of his preaching) and the neighbourhood ( is not to be joined with . . as Calov., al., but refers (reff.) to Jerusalem, meaning perhaps its immediate neighbourhood, perhaps Arabia (?), Gal 1:17,-but hardly Damascus and Cilicia, as De W. suggests, seeing that they would come into the route afterwards specified, from Jerusalem to Illyricum), as far as Illyricum (Illyricum bordered on Macedonia to the S. It is possible that Paul may literally have advanced to its frontiers during his preaching in Macedonia; but I think it more probable, that he uses it broadly as the terminus ad quem, the next province to that in which he had preached), I have fulfilled (ref.:-executed my office of preaching,so that . = .) the Gospel of Christ.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 15:19. , [Engl. V. through mighty] in the power of signs and wonders) This expression should be referred to, by deed.- , [by] in the power of the Spirit of God) This should be referred to, by word. We have here a gradation, [ascending climax]: for he attributes more to the Spirit of God, than to the signs.–, from-unto) A large tract of country.-, Illyricum) of which Dalmatia is a part; 2Ti 4:10.- , the Gospel) the office of preaching the Gospel.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 15:19
Rom 15:19
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit;-Through the power bestowed upon him by the Holy Spirit which he exerted upon the souls of men by performing signs and wonders he proved that the cause he was pleading was from God. [By the three terms-powers, signs, and wonders-Paul does not mean three classes of actions, but they are used to describe the same phenomena. The miracles which he wrought were mighty powers, because wrought by the immediate power of God; signs, because they signified God’s approval of what Paul did in connection with them; and wonders, because they excited wonder in those who witnessed them.]
so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum,- [Jerusalem is especially mentioned from its being the center, according to the Lords directions (Luk 24:47), where the apostles began their work and where Paul himself was first received into their fellowship (Act 9:26-27). Illyricum is a district lying along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. There is no mention in Acts of Paul’s preaching in that country; but in describing the circuit of Pauls labors in Macedonia, Luke employs the comprehensive expression, when he had gone through those parts. (Act 20:1-2). We may conclude, therefore, that one of the parts was Illyricum, which was adjacent to Macedonia-and so much the more because the chronology of this portion of Pauls life allows us to assign the ample time of three or four months to just these labors in that part before he proceeded to Corinth. Thus the apostle and the history, so incomplete and obscure apart from each other, form a perfect whole when brought together, and that by a combination of circumstances of which Paul and Luke could have had no thought when they wrote their different accounts.]
I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;-He had preached the gospel in all its fullness of truth wherever he had gone. In reporting his work, Luke says: Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures, opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ. (Act 17:2-3). To the elders at Ephesus he said: “I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. (Act 20:20-27). That is what it is to fully preach the gospel.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
mighty: Act 14:10, Act 15:12, Act 16:18, Act 19:11, Act 19:12, 2Co 12:12, Gal 3:5, Heb 2:4
by the: Mat 12:28, Act 1:8, 1Co 12:4-11, 1Pe 1:12
so that: Rom 15:24, Act 9:28, Act 9:29, Act 13:4, Act 13:5, Act 13:14, Act 13:51, Act 14:6, Act 14:20, Act 14:25, Act 16:6-12, Act 17:10, Act 17:15, Act 18:1, Act 18:19, Act 19:1, Act 20:2, Act 20:6
Illyricum: Illyricum, or Illyria, was a country of Europe, lying n and nw of Macedonia, on the eastern coast of the Adriatic gulf, opposite Italy. It was distinguished into two parts; Liburnia north, now Croatia; and Dalmatia south, still retaining the same name. The account of Paul’s second visit to the peninsula of Greece, Act 20:1, Act 20:2, says Dr. Paley, leads us to suppose that, in going over Macedonia, he had passed so far to the west, as to come into those parts of the country which were contiguous to Illyricum, if he did not enter Illyricum itself. The history and the Epistle therefore so far agree; and the agreement is much strengthened by a coincidence of time; for much before the time when this epistle was written, he could not have said so, as his route, in his former journey, confined him to the eastern side of the peninsula, a considerable distance from Illyricum.
fully: Rom 1:14-16, Act 20:20, Col 1:25, 2Ti 4:17
Reciprocal: Exo 7:3 – multiply Lev 25:9 – of the jubilee to sound Jdg 8:3 – God Psa 45:5 – people Psa 86:10 – For Psa 102:22 – General Eze 47:4 – the waters were to the knees Mic 4:2 – for Mic 5:7 – as a dew Zec 9:14 – seen Mat 13:32 – the least Mat 25:16 – went Mat 26:13 – Wheresoever Mar 13:10 – General Mar 16:20 – the Lord Luk 13:19 – and it Joh 14:12 – greater Joh 17:20 – for them Act 4:33 – with Act 5:12 – by Act 8:40 – he preached Act 14:26 – the work Act 21:19 – he declared Rom 1:5 – for obedience to the faith Rom 1:16 – the gospel Rom 10:18 – their sound 1Co 1:6 – was 1Co 2:4 – but 1Co 4:20 – General 1Co 12:10 – the working 2Co 2:14 – the savour 2Co 6:6 – by the 2Co 6:9 – well 2Co 10:14 – we stretch not 2Co 11:26 – journeyings Eph 3:7 – by Col 1:6 – is come 1Th 1:5 – but 1Th 2:9 – the gospel 2Ti 4:5 – make full proof of Tit 1:3 – manifested Rev 6:2 – and he went
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
:19
Rom 15:19. His own field of labor had furnished him much cause for rejoicing. That work had been performed under God through the aid of the Spirit of God, inspiring him. The territory Paul mentions had not been “covered” by other preachers, hence it was virtually new territory where the apostle felt free to labor.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 15:19. In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Some authorities read Spirit of God, and the Vatican manuscript has Spirit alone; but the best established form is as above. The two clauses are parallel, and should be closely joined with what precedes. Christ wrought through him, in word and work, in virtue of these powers; that proceeding from (miraculous) signs and wonders, and that which came from the Holy Spirit working through him on the minds of men.
So that from Jerusalem, the actual starting point of his apostolical labors (Act 4:28-29; Act 22:18), round about, not in the arc of a circle, but in a wide circuit, round about Jerusalem.
As far as Illyricum. Illyrica was north of Macedonia. No mention is made in the Book of Acts of a visit there. Hence many have thought that the Apostle thus indicates the limit of labors. But it is quite probable that during the journey mentioned in Act 20:1-3 (just before the writing of this Epistle) he actually entered that region.
I have fully preached (lit., have fulfilled) the gospel of Christ. The E. V. fairly presents the sense, though a variety of other explanations have been suggested, e. g., have given the gospel its full dimensions, completely proclaimed it, accomplished everything with it, etc. He had fully spread the glad tidings and with success everywhere, sufficient to attest his apostolic mission, and give him a ground of glorying in what Christ had wrought through him.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
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 [I, as I have intimated, would not dare to glory in anything that I find in myself, but I glory in the manifest powers of the Holy Spirit, both in speech and miracle which have been mine by reason of my apostolic office, and which have enabled me to convincingly preach the gospel, not in any limited field, but far and wide in that great curve of the earth which begins at Jerusalem in the east and ends at Illyricum in the west. “Chrysostom observeth,” says Trapp, “that Plato came three times to Sicily to convert Dionysius the tyrant to philosophy, and could not. But Paul set a great compass, converted many souls, planted many churches: and why? Christ sat upon him as one of his white horses, and went forth conquering and to conquer (Rev 6:2).” Paul began preaching at Damascus, but took a second start at Jerusalem under special commission to the Gentiles (Act 9:19-20; Act 9:27-29; Gal 1:17-18; Act 22:17-21). Acts makes no direct mention of Paul’s labors in Illyricum. However, the Romans incorporated Illyricum as part of Macedonia, and hence the journey thither may be included in the trip described at Act 20:1-2 . Note the calm, sane way in which Paul speaks of his miraculous powers as a trust from Christ and a seal of his apostleship, both being mere accessories to that all-important task, the preaching of the gospel];
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
19. In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God, so that I from Jerusalem around about unto Illyricum have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 19
Illyricum was beyond Macedonia, towards the north.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
15:19 Through {o} mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
(o) In the first place this word “mighty” signifies the force and working of the wonders in piercing men’s minds: and in the latter, it signifies God’s mighty power which was the worker of those wonders.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Signs and wonders, standard biblical phraseology for miracles, accredited the messenger of God and validated the message that he proclaimed (Act 2:22; Act 5:12). [Note: See Ken L. Sarles, "An Appraisal of the Signs and Wonders Movement," Bibliotheca Sacra 145:577 (January-March 1988):57-82.] The Holy Spirit enabled people to see the connection between the miracle and the message and, therefore, to believe the gospel and experience salvation.
Paul’s arena of ministry when he wrote this epistle stretched about 1,400 miles, from Jerusalem to the Roman province of Illyricum. Illyricum lay on the east side of the Adriatic Sea opposite Italy. This is modern northern Albania, much of former Yugoslavia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. There is no record in Acts of Paul having gone there, though he may have done so on his second missionary journey (Act 17:1-9) or during his third journey (Act 21:1-2). Paul’s claim to have "fully" preached the gospel means that he had faithfully proclaimed it in that area, not that he had personally delivered it to every individual.