An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

CHAP. XV.

THere are two parts of the Chapter: In the former part the Apostle proceeds in his Exhortation to them that are weak in the Faith, touching Christian Liberty, how they should carry themselves towards the weak, to vers. 13. In the other part is contained the conclusion of the Epistle, to the end.

Vers. 1. Wee then that are strong, ought to bear the in∣firmities of the weak, and not to please our selves.

That which concerns the first, Because no agreement in differences about the use of things indifferent can pro∣bably bee expected without sin, unless they that are strong carry themselves decently towards them that are weak in the use of their liberty: Therefore hee exhorts, that they would so do, and bear the infirmities of the weak, patiently bearing with them, and by prudent counsel, par∣doning them as those that are weak in that matter. The Arguments of his Exhortation are seven.

To bear] Argum. 1. It's the duty of the stronger, both by the Law of Nature, and by Divine Law, to bear the burdens of the weak: Therefore the strong in Faith in these things indifferent ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak.

Please] Argum. 2. The stronger which refuse to per∣form this duty towards the weak, will bee found guilty of self-love, onely minding their own private advantages: Therefore the weak are to bee born with.

Vers. 2. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Argum. 3. Because every man is bound to please his neighbour, when it may bee done to his edification, and for his good. Hee addes to Edification, lest wee fall into sin for the sake of any one.

Vers. 3. For even Christ pleased not himself, but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on mee.

Argum. 4. Whereby the former is confirmed, from the example of Christ: Christ not respecting his own profit, but our infirmity, and salvation, pleased not himself, but us: which hee proves, because our sins (which in their nature are injuries unto God) Christ bore, that hee might free us from deserved punishments, and hee put his shoulders to bear our burthen: Therefore for the sake of them that are weak, wee ought to depart from our right, at least in things indifferent, that they may bee saved.

Vers. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore∣time, were written for our learning, that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Hee proves that this example is to bee imitated, from the general scope of the Scriptures, which is our edifica∣tion (in faith and obedience) by promises, precepts and examples: that wee in all our tribulation, patiently o∣beying the Will of God, might have consolation and hope through the Scriptures.

Vers. 5. Now the God of patience and consolation, grant you to bee like-minded one towards another, ac∣cording to Christ Iesus.

Hee concludes the Argument with prayer, that God, who is the fountain of patience and comfort, would give unto them the same affection one towards another, ac∣cording to the example of Christ, i. e. that they might think the same thing, according to the doctrine of Christ, and might love one another, for if love abounded, there would bee agreement in things indifferent.

Vers. 6. That you may with one mind, and one mouth, glorifie God, even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ.

The end of his prayer is, that all strife and discord be∣ing removed, with one heart and mouth they might glori∣fie God, even the Father of Christ, who hath given us the adoption of Sons, and joyned us amongst our selves, by the bond of Brethren, with Christ.

Vers. 7. Wherefore receive yee one another, as Christ al∣so received us to the glory of God.

Argum. 5. In like manner by the example of Christ, drawn from what was abovesaid, by way of exhortation, Christ had compassion on us, took us weak ones, and un∣worthy into fellowship with him, to the glory of God, par∣doning our sins: Therefore wee ought to take into our fellowship of love and peace, those that are weak, and (as they may seem) unworthy, passing by their infirmities.

Vers. 8. Now I say that Iesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the Fathers.

Argum. 6. Again also from the example of Christ; Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision, or to the Jews, preaching amongst them, and undergoing all the offices of a Minister, by reason of the Covenant that was made with their Fathers: Therefore it behoves all Christians, to bee of the same mind with Christ, to∣wards the Jews (which are weak in the Faith) even be∣cause of the Covenant with their Fathers.

Vers. 9. And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercy, as it is written, For this cause I will con∣fess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy Name.

Argum. 7. Again from the example of Christ, who preached among the Jews, not onely that hee might pro∣mote the completing of the Truth of God, and the pro∣mises made to the Patriarchs, but also to this end, that the Gentiles converted by and with the Jews, might glo∣rifie God together: Therefore it is most unworthy that the Jews and Gentiles should contemn one another for things indifferent.

Wherefore] As concerning the Gentiles, hee proves out of the Scripture, that Christ intended to call them into the fellowship of the Jews, by a fourfold testimony: first, out of Psal. 18.50. Wherein Christ under the type of David, promiseth that hee will preach the Name of God amongst the Gentiles.

Vers. 10. And again hee saith, Rejoyce yee Gentiles, with his people.

The second proof is taken out of Deut. 32.43. wherein the Gentiles are commanded to rejoyce, with the Jews, as the people of God: Therefore the Gentiles are joyned with this people.

Vers. 11. And again, Praise the Lord, all yee Gentiles, and laud him all yee people.

The third proof is taken out of Psal. 117.1. The Gen∣tiles are commanded to praise God: Therefore they shall obtain mercy.

Vers. 12. And again, Isaiah saith, There shall bee a root of Jesse, and hee that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust.

The fourth proof is taken out of Isaiah 11.10. Christ shall reign as King over the Gentiles, and the Gentiles shall beleeve in him: Therefore they shall bee conver∣ted.

Vers. 13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in beleeving, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Hee concludes this whole Exhortation, concerning ab∣staining from the unseasonable use of our liberty, about meats, in case of scandal, with a most ardent prayer: That God would recompence this their Christian abstinence from meats, with the abundance of spiritual gifts, which would create to them more joy, from the comfort of Faith, and the holy Spirit of Peace, than they could otherwise finde in all the delights of what meats soe∣ver.

Vers. 14. And I my self also am perswaded of you, my Brethren, that yee also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one ano∣ther.

15. Nevertheless, Brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you, in some sort, as putting you in mind, of the grace that is given to mee of God:

16. That I should bee the Minister of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the Gospel of God, that the of∣fering up of the Gentiles might bee acceptable, being sanctified of the Holy Ghost.

The other part of the Chapter, containeth the conclu∣sion of the Epistle: wherein hee first shews the cause of his writing, and of his not comming yet unto them, that although hee was perswaded, that the Romans abounded in grace, and knowledge, whereby they were able to ex∣hort, and instruct one another in all those things whereof hee had spoken before; Yet notwithstanding hee shews that hee hath written the more freely and fully to them; First, Because the advice which hee gave them was pro∣fitable unto them: Furthermore, because of his Apostoli∣cal authority given him by the Grace of God, it behoved him so to attend to his Ministery among the Gentiles, that they being converted and crucified according to the

old man, by his Gospel, might bee offered unto God, as a Sacrifice sanctified by the Spirit of holiness, and accept∣ed of God through Jesus Christ.

Vers. 17. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Iesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

That by what is said before his authority might appear, hee commends his Apostleship upon a seven-fold account.

First, from the spiritual effects produced by the power of Christ, which with God is highly esteemed, however men undervalue it.

Vers. 18. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by mee, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed.

Secondly, From the conversion of the Gentiles, where∣of hee durst not speak more than was truth, neither could hee say how much hee hath done, or what Christ had effected by his Ministery, to the conversion of the Gentiles.

Vers. 19. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusa∣lem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.

Thirdly, From the signs of his Apostleship, viz. the power and miracles of the Holy Ghost, by which the Gentiles were convinced, touching the certainty of the Doctrine of the Gospel.

So that] Fourthly, From the multitude of the Gen∣tiles which hee conquered by his Ministery, amongst which were all those which lye betwixt Ierusalem and Dalmatia, containing as it is thought the space of about a thousand four hundred miles, besides the Provinces adjacent.

Vers. 20. Yea, so have I strived to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build up∣on another mans foundation.

Fifthly, From his founding the Churches of God in those places, the bringing in of whom, as Christ was the only Author, so was it only by Pauls Ministery, and not by any other of the Apostles.

Vers. 21. But as it is written, To whom hee was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand.

Sixthly, Because in his Ministery was most evidently fulfilled what was fore-told by the Prophet.

Vers. 22. For which cause also I have been much hin∣dered from coming to you.

23. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire this many years to come unto you;

24. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you, for I trust to see you in my journey, and to bee brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I bee somewhat filled with your company.

Laying a foundation for his excuse in what hee said before, that hitherto hee had not come to the Romans, ver. 22. and 23. hee gives them hopes of his coming, and tarrying a while with them, in his journey, which hee intended for Spain: After hee should have been refresh∣ed with their company, as with Aromatick odours.

Vers. 25. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the Saints.

26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain contribution for the poor Saints which are at Hierusalem.

Hee expresses the time of his coming, after hee had been at Ierusalem, and had brought the charitable bene∣volences of the Greek Churches for the relief of the poor Saints in Iudea.

Vers. 27. It hath pleased them verily, and their deb∣tours they are; for if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is al∣so to minister to them in carnal things.

Hee proves that this benevolence was to bee bestowed upon the Jews, because the Gospel came from the Jews to the Gentiles.

Vers. 28. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you in∣to Spain.

29. And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.

After hee had delivered this collection to the Saints, and had sealed to them this fruit without diminution, hee promiseth that hee would come unto them. In the mean time hee gives them hopes of spiritual blessings by his Ministery to bee conferred upon the Romans at his com∣ing, which hee speaks, that his coming might bee more acceptable, and more fervently desired and expected by them.

Vers. 30. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Ie∣sus Christs sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with mee, in your prayers to God for mee.

Lastly, hee earnestly entreats their prayers to God, that they would bee importunate for him in three requests.

Vers. 31. That I may bee delivered from them that do not believe in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem, may bee accepted of the Saints.

The first is, that hee might bee delivered from the snares of those that did not believe in Iudea, which ve∣hemently thirsted after his blood.

My Ministery] The second Petition is, that the contri∣bution which hee was carrying to Ierusalem, might bee acceptable to the Jews his Brethren.

Vers. 32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you bee refreshed.

The third Petition is, that hee might come with joy to Rome, and rejoyce together with them.

Vers. 33. Now the God of peace bee with you all. A∣men.

In the mean while, he prays that God would keep them in peace, that the work of the Gospel might not bee hin∣dred amongst them.