CHAPTER XV

1. Infirmities (asqenhmata) Only here in the New Testament.

8. Of the circumcision. Of those circumcised See on the election, ch. xi. 7.

9. It is written. The citations are from Psalm xviii. 50, compare 2 Samuel xxii. 50; Deut. xxxii. 43; Psalm cxvii. 1; Isa. xi. 10.

Confess. Rev., give praise. See on ch. xiv. 11.

Sing (yalw). See on Jas. v. 13.

10. Rejoice (eufranqhte). Frequently in the New Testament of merry-making. Luke xii. 19; xv. 23, 24. See on fared sumptuously, Luke xvi. 19.

12. Root. See on Nazarene, Matt. ii. 23. Root is a sprout from the root. He that shall rise to reign. Rev., that ariseth to reign. Literally from the Septuagint. Ariseth to reign is a paraphrase of the Hebrew stands as banner. Bengel says: "There is a pleasant contrast: the root is in the lowest place, the banner rises highest, so as to be seen even by the remotest nations."

Shall - hope. So Septuagint, which is a free rendering of the Hebrew seek or resort to.

14. Here the Epilogue of the Epistle begins. Bengel says: "As one street often leads men, leaving a large city, through several gates, so the conclusion of this Epistle is manifold." Goodness (agaqwsunhv). See on ch. iii. 12.

To admonish (nouqetein). See on Acts xx. 31.

15. I have written (egraya). Rev., I write. The epistolary aorist. See on 1 John ii. 13.

The more boldly (tolmhroteron). Not too boldly, but the more boldly because you are full of goodness.

In some sort (apo merouv). See on ch. xi. 25. Rev., in some measure, qualifying I write, and referring to some passage in which he had spoken with especial plainness; as ch. vi. 12, 19; viii. 9; xi. 17; xiv. 3, 4, 10, 13, 15, 20, etc.

16. Minister (leitourgon). See on ch. xiii. 6.

Ministering (ierourgounta). Only here in the New Testament. Lit., ministering as a priest.

Offering up (prosfora). Lit., the bringing to, i.e., to the altar. Compare doeth service, John xvi. 2.

17. Whereof I may glory (thn kauchsin). Rather, as Rev., my glorying, denoting the act. The ground of glorying would be kauchma as in ch. iv. 2; Gal. vi. 4, etc.

Those things which pertain to God (ta prov ton Qeon). A technical phrase in Jewish liturgical language to denote the functions of worship (Heb. ii. 17; v. 1). According with the sacerdotal ideas of the previous verse.

19. Signs - wonders. See on Matt. xi. 20.

Round about (kuklw). Not, in a circuitous track to Illyricum, but Jerusalem and the regions round it. For the phrase, see Mark iii. 34; vi. 6, 36; Luke ix. 12; Apoc. iv. 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 Acts xx. 1-3. 69 Fully preached (peplhrwkenai). Lit., fulfilled Some explain, have given the Gospel its fall development so that it has reached every quarter.

20. Have I strived (filotimoumenon). The verb means originally to be fond of honor, and hence, from a love of honor, to strive, be ambitious. Compare 2 Cor. v. 9; 1 Thess. iv. 11. The correct sense is to prosecute as a point of honor.

Foundation (qemelion). See on settle, 1 Pet. v. 10.

22. I have been hindered (enekoptomhn). Imperfect tense, denoting continuousness, and implying a succession of hindrances. Rev., was hindered. Hence these many times.

23. Place (topon). Scope, opportunity. So of Esau, Heb. xii. 17. Compare Rom. xii. 19; Eph. iv. 27.

Many (ikanwn). See on worthy, Luke vii. 6. The primary meaning is sufficient, and hence comes to be applied to number and quantity; many, enough, as Mark x. 46; Luke viii. 32; Acts ix. 23, etc. So, long, of time (Acts viii. 11; xxvii. 9). Worthy, i.e., sufficient for an honor or a place (Mark i. 7; Luke vii. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 9). Adequate (2 Cor. ii. 16; iii. 5). Qualified (2 Timothy ii. 2). Here the sense might be expressed by for years enough.

24. Spain. The usual Greek name is Iberia. Paul adopts a modification of the Roman name, Hispania.

In my journey (diaporeuomenov). Lit., journeying through, or as I pass through.

To be brought on my way (propemfqhnai). Escorted. See on Acts xv. 3. Filled (emplhsqw). Lit., filled full: satiated. Compare Acts xiv. 17; Luke i. 53. Rev., satisfied.

26. Contribution (koinwnian). See on fellowship, Acts ii. 42.

Poor saints (ptwcouv twn agiwn). More literally, and better, the poor of the saints. Rev., among the saints. All the saints were not poor.

27. To minister (leitourghsai). See on ch. xiii. 6. By using this word for priestly service, Paul puts the ministry of almsgiving on the footing of a sacrificial service. It expresses the worship of giving.

28. Sealed - this fruit. Secured to them the product of the contribution. See on John iii. 33; Apoc. xxii. 10.

29. Gospel. Omit, and read blessing of Christ.

30. Strive together (sunagwnisasqai). The simple verb is used of contending in the games, and implies strenuous effort. Here earnest prayer.

31. Them that do not believe (twn apeiqountwn). See on ch. x. 21. Better, Rev., them that are disobedient.