Paul. Paul’s name heads all his Epistles, except Hebrews.
servant. Greek. doulos. App-190. Compare [ 2Co 4:5]. [ Gal 1:1], [ Gal 1:10]. [ Php 1:1], [ Php 1:1]. [ Tit 1:1].
Jesus Christ. App-98. XL
called, &c. Literally a called apostle; called at his conversion ([ Act 26:17], [ Act 26:18]).
apostle. App-189.
separated = set apart. Greek. aphorizo. Compare [ Act 13:2]; [ Act 19:9]. [ 2Co 6:17]. [ Gal 1:1], [ Gal 1:15]; [ Gal 2:12]. Note the three stages in Paul’s "separation" for God’s purpose: birth ([ Gal 1:1], [ Gal 1:15], [ Gal 1:16]); conversion ([ Act 9:15]); work ([ Act 13:2]).
unto. Greek. eis. App-104.
the gospel of God: i.e. the "gospel of the grace of God" ([ Act 20:24]. Compare [ Act 15:7]), not the "gospel of the kingdom". See App-140. .
God. App-98.
had. Omit.
promised afore. Greek. proepangello. Only here: epangello occurs fifteen times; always rendered "promise", save [ 1Ti 2:10]; [ 1Ti 6:21] (professing).
Prophets. App-189.
scriptures. Greek. graphe. Occurs fifty-one times (sing, and plural) Fourteen times by Paul, but only here with adjective hagios, holy.
Concerning. Greek. peri. App-104.
Son. Greek. huios. App-108.
Jesus . . . Lord. In the Greek these words follow after "dead" in [ Rom 1:4]. Figure of speech Hyperbaton. App-6.
Lord. App-98.
Which was made = Who was born ([ Gal 1:4], [ Gal 1:4], Revised Version.)
seed: i.e. of David’s line, but ending specifically in Mary, who was here the "seed" of David. App-99. And Christ was "the Seed" of the woman ([ Gen 3:15]. [ Isa 7:14]. [ Mat 1:23]).
David. Compare [ Joh 7:42]. [ 2Ti 2:8].
according to. Greek. kata. App-104.
flesh = human nature. Greek. sarx. See [ Rom 9:3], [ Rom 9:5].
declared = marked out. Greek. horizo. See [ Act 2:23]. Compare [ Psa 2:7].
Son of God. App-98.
with power = in (Greek. en) power (Greek. dunamis. App-172.); i.e. powerfully. Compare [ Php 3:10].
spirit. App-101.
holiness. Greek. hagiosune. Only here, [ 2Co 7:1]. [ 1Th 3:13]. Nowhere in Greek. literature. It is the Genitive of apposition (App-17.) The expression is not to be confounded with pneuma hagion (App-101.) His Divine spiritual nature in resurrection is here set in contrast with His human flesh as seed of David.
resurrection. Greek. anastasis. App-178. Compare [ Act 26:23].
from = of.
dead. App-139. See [ Mat 27:52], [ Mat 27:53].
grace and apostleship. Some see here the Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6), and read "apostolic grace".
grace. Greek. charis. App-184.
apostleship. See [ Act 1:25].
obedience to the faith = faith-obedience.
faith. App-150.
among. Greek. en. App-104.
nations = Gentiles. Greek. ethnos. Occurs in Romans twenty-nine times; translated "Gentiles" except here, [ Rom 4:17], [ Rom 4:18]; [ Rom 10:19]; [ Rom 16:26].
for = on behalf of. Greek. huper. App-104.
name. See [ Act 2:21].
the called. Compare [ 1Co 1:24].
all, &c.: i.e. all God’s beloved ones in Rome.
beloved. Greek. agapetos. App-135.
saints. See [ Act 9:13], and compare [ Psa 16:3].
our Father. Compare [ Rom 8:15]; [ Gal 1:4], [ Gal 1:6]; and see App-98.
the = our.
Lord. App-98. This salutation is found in all Paul’s Epistles save Hebrews and the three Pastorals, where "mercy" is added.
thank. See [ Act 27:35].
through. Greek. dia. App-104. [ Rom 1:1]. Compare [ Joh 14:6].
for. Greek. huper, as in [ Rom 1:5], but the texts read peri, concerning (App-104.)
spoken of. Greek. katangello. App-121.
throughout. Greek. en. App-104.
world. Greek. kosmos. App-129.
witness. Greek. martus; only here in Romans. Compare [ 2Co 1:23]. [ Php 1:1], [ Php 1:8]. [ 1Th 2:5], [ 1Th 2:10].
serve. Greek. latreuo. App-137 and App-190.
spirit. App-101. Compare [ Php 1:3], [ Php 1:3].
the gospel of His Son. This expression only here; elsewhere, the Apostle speaks of "the gospel of Christ", [ 1Co 9:12], [ 1Co 9:18]; [ 2Co 2:12]. [ Php 1:27]. Compare [ 2Co 4:4].
without ceasing, Greek. adialeiptos. Only here and [ 1Th 1:3]; [ 1Th 2:13]; [ 1Th 5:17].
make mention. Compare [ Eph 1:16]. [ Php 1:3]. [ 1Th 1:2]; [ 1Th 3:6]. [ 2Ti 1:3]. [ Phm 1:4]. The same expression appears in a papyrus of second cent., from the Fayoum, in a letter from a Roman soldier to his sister.
prayers. Greek. proseuche. App-134.
Making request. Greek. deomai. App-134.
if by any means. Greek. eipos. App-118.
might . . . journey. Greek. euodoumai. Elsewhere, [ 1Co 16:2]. [ 3Jn 1:2].
will. Greek. thelema. App-102.
come. Greek. erchomai. App-106.
long. Greek. epipothes. Elsewhere, [ 1Co 5:2]; [ 1Co 9:14]. [ Php 1:1], [ Php 1:8]; [ Php 2:26]. [ 1Th 3:6]. [ 2Ti 1:4]. [ Jas 4:5]. [ 1Pe 2:2].
see. App-133.
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
impart. Greek. metadidomi. Elsewhere, [ Rom 12:8]. [ Luk 3:11]. [ Eph 4:28]. [ 1Th 2:8].
unto = to.
spiritual. Greek. pneumatikos. See [ 1Co 12:1].
gift. Greek. charisma. App-184. Compare [ Rom 12:6]. [ 1Co 12:4], &c.
to the end. Greek. eis. App-104.
established. Greek. sterizo. Elsewhere, [ Rom 16:25]. [ Luk 9:51]; [ Luk 16:26]; [ Luk 22:32]. [ 1Th 3:2], [ 1Th 3:13]; [ 2Th 2:17]; [ 2Th 3:3]. [ Jas 5:8]. [ 1Pe 5:10]. [ 2Pe 1:12]. [ Rev 3:2].
That is, &c. = But this (imparting some spiritual gift) is (or means) our being comforted by our mutual faith.
comforted together. Greek. sumparakaleo. Only here.
mutual = in (Greek. en) one another.
would, &c. First of six occurances: [ Rom 11:25]. [ 1Co 10:1]; [ 1Co 12:1]. [ 2Co 1:8]. [ 1Th 4:13]. See the positive form, [ 1Co 11:3]. [ Col 2:1].
would. Greek. thelo. App-102.
have you, &c. = that you should be ignorant. Greek. agnoeo. Compare [ Mar 9:32]. [ Luk 9:45].
purposed. Greek. protithemi; only here, [ Rom 3:25]. [ Eph 1:9].
let = hindered. (Anglo-Saxon lettan, to delay.) Greek. kdluo; Occurs twenty-three times (seventeen times "forbid").
other. Greek. loipos. App-124. Paul frequently uses the significant term, "the rest", to designate the unsaved. See [ Rom 11:7]. [ Eph 2:3]; [ Eph 4:17]. [ 1Th 4:13]; [ 1Th 5:6]. See also [ Rev 20:5].
the. Omit.
Greeks. Greek. Hellen. See [ Joh 7:35] with [ Joh 12:20].
Barbarians. See [ Act 28:2], [ Act 28:4].
wise. Corresponds generally to "learned".
unwise. Greek. anoetos, unintelligent. Such as the Pharisees despised ([ Joh 7:49]). Elsewhere, [ Luk 24:25]. [ Gal 1:3], [ Gal 1:1], [ Gal 1:3]; [ 1Ti 6:9]. [ Tit 3:3].
as much as in me is = as for (Greek. kata. App-104.) me.
ready. Greek. prothumos. Only here. [ Mat 26:41]. [ Mar 14:38].
preach the gospel. Greek. euangelizo. App-121.
you, &c. = you also that are at (Greek. en) Rome.
For. This is Figure of speech Aetiologia. App-6.
I am, &c: i.e. I count it my highest honour and glory to proclaim the gospel. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6.
ashamed. Greek. epaischunomai. Here, [ Rom 6:21]. [ Mar 8:38]. [ Luk 9:26]. [ 2Ti 1:8], [ 2Ti 1:12], [ 2Ti 1:16]. [ Heb 2:11]; [ Heb 11:16].
of Christ. All the texts omit.
believeth. App-150.
first. In point of national precedence and privilege. Compare [ Rom 2:9], [ Rom 2:10]; [ Rom 8:1], [ Rom 8:2].
Greek. See [ Rom 1:14]. Representing all non-Jews.
therein = in (Greek. en) it.
the. Omit.
righteousness of God = God’s righteousness.
righteousness. Greek. dikaiosune. App-191.
revealed. Greek. apokalupto. App-106.
from. Greek. ek. App-104.
to. Greek. eis. App-104. God’s righteousness is revealed on the ground of faith (faith-principle) (ek pisteos), as the absolute condition of salvation, and is operative only for those who believe (eis pistin). For the use of ek pisteos, Compare [ Rom 3:26], [ Rom 3:30]; [ Rom 4:16]; [ Rom 5:1]; [ Rom 10:6]; [ Rom 14:23]. [ Gal 1:2], [ Gal 1:16].
written. See [ Mat 2:5] (first occ).
just. Greek. dikaios. App-191.
live. Quoted from [ Hab 2:4]. Compare [ Gal 1:3], [ Gal 1:11]. [ Heb 10:38].
For. In the gospel not only is God’s salvation revealed, but God’s wrath also, and both are the revelation of God’s righteousness.
the wrath of God. This expression Occurs only here, [ Joh 3:36]. [ Eph 5:6]. [ Col 3:6]. Compare [ Rev 19:15]. Referred to many times in N.T., e.g. [ Rom 2:5]; [ Rom 5:9]; [ Rom 9:22]. [ Mat 3:7]. [ Eph 2:3]; [ Eph 5:6]. [ Rev 6:16], [ Rev 6:17].
heaven. Singular. No article. See [ Mat 6:10].
against. Greek. epi, App-104.
ungodliness. Greek. asebeia. App-128.
unrighteousness. Greek. adikia. App-128.
men. Greek. anthropos. App-123.
hold = hold down, suppress. Compare [ 2Th 2:6].
the truth. Greek. alethieia, p. 1511. Compare App-175and App-2.
known. See [ Act 1:19].
manifest. Greek. phaneros. App-106.
hath. Omit.
shewed = manifested. Greek. phaneroo. App-106.
invisible. Greek. aoratos. Here, [ Col 1:15], [ Col 1:16], [ 1Ti 1:17]. [ Heb 11:27].
clearly seen. Greek. katkorao. Only here.
things that are made. Greek. poiema. Only here and [ Eph 2:10].
eternal. Greek. aidios. App-151.
Godhead. App-98.
so that, &c. = to the end (Greek. eis) of their being. Compare [ Rom 1:11].
without excuse. Greek. anapologetos. Only here and [ Rom 2:1].
knew. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
glorified. Seep. 1511.
but. Emphatic.
became vain. Greek. mataioomai. Only here. Compare [ Act 14:15].
imaginations = reasonings. See [ Mat 15:19].
foolish. Greek. asunetos, as [ Rom 1:31].
Professing, &c. = saying that they were. Greek. phasko. See [ Act 24:9].
became fools. Literally were fooled (i.e. by their perverted mind). Greek. moraino. Here, [ Mat 5:13]. [ Luk 14:34]. [ 1Co 1:20].
changed. Greek. allasso. see [ Act 6:14].
glory. Greek. doxa. See p. 1511.
uncorruptible. Greek. aphthartos. Here; [ 1Co 9:25]; [ 1Co 15:52]. [ 1Ti 1:17]. [ 1Pe 1:4], [ 1Pe 1:23]; [ 1Pe 3:4].
image, &c. = likeness (Greek. homoioma. Here, [ Rom 5:14]; [ Rom 6:5]; [ Rom 8:3]. [ Php 1:2], [ Php 1:7]. [ Rev 9:7]) of an image of.
image. Greek. eikon. Occurs twenty-three times; always so rendered. This is the Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6.
corruptible. Greek. phthartos. Here, [ 1Co 9:25]; [ 1Co 15:53], [ 1Co 15:54]; [ 1Pe 1:18], [ 1Pe 1:23].
birds, &c. In Egypt they worshipped the hawk and the ibis.
fourfooted beasts. Greek. tetrapous. See [ Act 10:12]. As the bull and the cow, held by the Egyptians sacred to. Apis and Hathor (Venus); the dog to Anubis; &c.
creeping things. Greek. herpeton. See [ Act 10:12]. The asp, sacred to the gods of Egypt and found in every heathen pantheon; indeed, the worship of the serpent plays a prominent part in all forms of Paganism. The crocodile, tortoise, frog, and the well-known Scarabaeus beetle, sacred to the sun and to Pthah, and used as an emblem of the world (Wilkinson).
also. Omit.
gave them up. See [ Joh 19:30].
uncleanness. Greek. akatharsia. Occurs ten times, always so rendered. The cognate word akathartes in [ Rev 17:4] only. Ceasing to know God ([ Rom 1:21]) results in idolatry, and idolatry ends in "filthiness of the flesh and spirit" ([ 2Co 7:1]).
through. App-104.
lusts. See [ Joh 8:44].
to dishonour, &c. = that their bodies should be dishonoured. Greek. atimazo. See [ Act 5:41].
between. Greek. en. App-104.
Who = Since they.
changed. Greek. metallasso; only here and [ Rom 1:26]. A stronger word than in [ Rom 1:23].
the truth of God into a lie = the truth of God for the lie. Man transferred his worship from God (the Truth) to the devil. Compare [ Joh 8:44]. [ Eph 4:25]. [ 2Th 2:9-11].
a lie = the lie. Greek. to pseudos. Compare [ 2Th 2:11]. The He is that Satan is man’s benefactor and is to be worshipped.
worshipped. Greek. sebazomai. App-137. Only here.
served. Greek. latreuo. App-137and App-190.
creature = the things created; not only sun, moon, stars, men, the animate creation, but Satan himself, the arch-enemy, who by means of his "lie" ([ Gen 3:4], [ Gen 3:5]) transferred the worship of man from the Creator to himself, the creature.
more than. Greek. para. App-104.
blessed. Greek. eulogetos. Compare [ Rom 9:5]. [ Mar 14:61]. (The) Blessed One. Not a statement of doctrine, but a well-known Hebraism of praise to God as Creator.
for ever. App-151. a.
Amen. See [ Mat 5:18]. [ Joh 1:51], and p. 1511.
For this cause = Because of (App-104. [ Rom 1:2]) this.
vile affections = passions of infamy (Greek. atimia. Here, [ Rom 9:21]. [ 1Co 11:14]; [ 1Co 15:43]. [ 2Co 6:8]; [ 2Co 11:21]. [ 2Ti 2:20]).
affections = passions, or lusts. Greek. pathos. Only here; [ Col 3:5]. [ 1Th 4:5].
natural. Greek. phusikos. Only here, [ Rom 1:27]; [ 2Pe 2:12].
use. Greek. chresis. Only here and [ Rom 1:27].
against. Greek. para. App-104.
also the men = the men also.
men. App-123.
leaving = having forsaken. App-174.
burned = were inflamed. Greek. ekkaiomai. Only here.
lust. Greek. orexis. Only here.
toward. App-104.
working. Greek. katergazomai. Occurs eleven times in Romans, seven in 2 Corinthians. See also [ Jas 1:3], [ Jas 1:20]; [ 1Pe 4:3].
that which is unseemly. Greek. aschemosune. Only here and [ Rev 16:15]. Compare [ Gen 19:7].
receiving = receiving back, or in full. Greek. apolambano.
that = the.
recompence. Greek. antimisthia, retribution; only here and [ 2Co 6:13].
error. Greek. plane, literally a wandering = wrong action, wickedness. Here, [ Mat 27:64]. [ Eph 4:14]. [ 1Th 2:3]. [ 2Th 2:11]. [ Jas 5:20]. [ 2Pe 2:18]; [ 2Pe 3:17]. [ 1Jn 4:6]. [ Jud 1:11].
And even . . . mind. There is a play upon two words here, not easily expressed in Eng. "As they rejected God, God rejected them. "
did . . . like. Greek. dokimazo, to accept after testing, to approve. Compare [ Rom 2:18]; [ Rom 12:2]; [ Rom 14:22]. [ 1Co 9:27].
knowledge. App-132.
reprobate. Greek. adokimos. The negative of dokimos. Compare dokimazo, above. Here, [ 1Co 9:27]. [ 2Co 13:5], [ 2Co 13:6], [ 2Co 13:7]; [ 2Ti 3:8]. [ Tit 1:16]. [ Heb 6:8].
convenient. Greek. kathekon. See [ Act 22:22].
filled. Greek. pleroo. App-125.
fornication. The texts omit.
wickedness Greek. poneria. App-128.
maliciousness. Greek. kakia. App-128.
envy = jealousy. Greek. phthonos. Compare [ Mat 27:18].
murder. Greek. phonos. Note the Paronomasia, phthonos, phonos. App-6. See [ Act 9:1].
debate = strife.
deceit. Greek. dolos. See [ Act 13:10].
malignity. Greek. kakoetheia, literally disposition for mischief. Only here.
whisperers = calumniators. Greek. psithuristes. Only here.
Backbiters = evil speakers (not necessarily behind the back). Greek. katalalos. Only here. Compare [ 2Co 12:20]. [ 1Pe 2:1].
haters of God = hateful to God. Greek. theostuges. Only here.
despiteful = insolent. Greek. hubristes. Only here and [ 1Ti 1:13].
proud. Greek. huperephanos. Here, [ Luk 1:51]. [ 2Ti 3:2]. [ Jas 4:6]. [ 1Pe 5:6].
boasters. Greek. alazon. Only here and [ 2Ti 3:2].
inventors. Greek. epheuretes. Only here.
evil. Greek. kakos. App-128.
disobedient. See [ Act 26:19].
Without understanding. Greek. asunetos. See [ Rom 1:21]. Note the Paronomasia with next word. App-6.
covenantbreakers. Greek. asunthetos. Only here.
without natural affection. Greek. astorgos. Only here and [ 2Ti 3:3].
implacable. The texts omit.
unmerciful = pitiless. Greek. aneleemon. Only here.
knowing. Greek. epiginosko. App-132.
judgment = righteous sentence. Greek. dikaioma. App-177.
commit = practise.
have pleasure in = consent also to. See [ Act 8:1].
do. Same as "commit", above. This list of heathen iniquities is the Figure of speech Synathroesmos. App-6.