Bible Commentary

For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men.] I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 19. For your obedience, &c.] This verse is sometimes explained q. d., “You are known to be singularly docile; a good thing in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:19”

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 18. serve not ] Perhaps these words (lit. do not bondservice to,) allude to the professed “ liberty ” of the erring teachers. Q. d., “they decline, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:18”

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 17 20. Special warning against certain teachers of error 17. Now I beseech you, &c.] From this ver. to Rom 16:20, inclusive, we have a paragraph or section by itself. It contains … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:17”

Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 16. Salute one another ] As if to respond to the example set them in the Apostle’s loving greetings. a holy kiss ] So 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:26 ; 1Pe 5:14. See also Act 20:37. The kiss, as a mark … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:16”

Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 15. Philologus ] A Greek name. Julia ] Possibly the wife of Philologus. The name may (as in the case of Junia: see note on Rom 16:7😉 be really Julias, i.e., Julianus; a masculine name. But the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:15”

Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 14. Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes ] All otherwise unknown. The names are Greek. Hermas was the name of the author of “The Shepherd,” a celebrated religious romance, sometimes compared as such to the Pilgrim’s Progress. But it is at least probable … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:14”

Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 13. Rufus ] A Latin name. Possibly this was the Rufus of Mar 15:21, brother of Alexander and son of Simon the Cyrenian. Alexander and Rufus are apparently named by St Mark as well known in the Christian Church, and it is observable that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:13”

Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord. 12. Tryphna and Tryphsa ] Greek names. These Christian women are otherwise unknown to us. They were very probably, like Phbe, “servants of the Church.” labour in the Lord ] toil (same word as that rendered … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:12”

Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the [household] of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 11. Herodion my kinsman ] See on Rom 16:7. The name is Greek. them that be of the household of Narcissus ] Lit., as just above, those from amongst Narcissus ’. There was one notorious Narcissus, a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:11”

Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ [household.] 10. Apelles ] A Greek name. It is used by Horace, in a well-known passage, ( Satires, I. v. 100,) as a name common among Jews. approved in Christ ] i.e. one who has been tested and found true, as a “member of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:10”