SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:14
¶ Pero cierto estoy yo de vosotros, hermanos míos, que aun sin mi exhortacin estis llenos de caridad, llenos de todo conocimiento, de tal manera que podis amonestaros los unos a los otros.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 15:14
Verse 14. And I-am persuaded of you] This is supposed to be an address to the Gentiles; and it is managed with great delicacy: he seems to apologize for the freedom he had used in writing to them; which he gives them to understand proceeded from the authority he had received by his apostolical office, the exercise of which office respected them particularly. So they could not be offended when they found themselves so particularly distinguished.
Ye-are full of goodness] Instead of agaqwsunhv, goodness, some MSS.
of good repute have agaphv, love. In this connection both words seem to mean nearly the same thing. They were so full of goodness and love that they were disposed, of themselves, to follow any plan that might be devised, in order to bring about the most perfect understanding between them and their Jewish brethren.
Filled with all knowledge] So completely instructed in the mind and design of God, relative to their calling, and the fruit which they were to bring forth to the glory of God, that they were well qualified to give one another suitable exhortations on every important point.
Instead of allhlouv, one another, several MSS. have allouv, others, which gives a clearer sense: for, if they were all filled with knowledge, there was little occasion for them to admonish one another; but by this they were well qualified to admonish others-to impart the wisdom they had to those who were less instructed.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. And I myself also am persuaded of you , etc..] This is said by way of prevention to an objection that might he made to the apostle's prayers and exhortations by the Romans. What does the apostle mean by all this? what does he think of us, or take us to be? men that live in malice to one another, devoid of all humanity, and mutual respect? a parcel of fools and ignorant men, that know nothing of divine things? and though there may be some that are much to be blamed for their conduct and carriage to their fellow Christians, what, are there none among us fit to give advice and admonition? To which the apostle replies, that he was far from entertaining such thoughts of them; that though he had not seen them in person, yet he had had such an account of their faith and practice, which were famous throughout the world, that he was thoroughly persuaded of better things of them, though he thus spake; and therefore, to mollify them, and abate their resentment, he adds, my brethren ; testifying his affection to them, owning the spiritual relation they stood in to him, and declaring the great esteem he had for them, and the high opinion he had of them: saying, that ye also are full of goodness ; not naturally, for there is no good thing in men by nature, but what they had was from the Spirit of God, whose fruit is goodness: and by which may be meant, either the good gifts of the Spirit of God, or rather his graces, even the good work of grace in general, and which is goodness itself: it comes from a good cause, the good Spirit of God; is good in its own nature, not having the least mixture or tincture of evil in it; and good in its effects, since it makes and denominates a man a good man; now these saints might be said to be full of this, to denote the abundance, the superabundance of grace in this work: or particularly beneficence, humanity, and sympathy to fellow Christians, may be intended. The Vulgate Latin version reads, full of love: but the copies and eastern versions read as we do. Filled with all knowledge ; not with every sort of knowledge, with the knowledge of all languages, or of all the arts and sciences, of all things, natural and political; but with all spiritual knowledge relating to God, his nature and perfections, his mind and will; to Christ and the work of redemption by him; to the Spirit, and the operations of his grace; to the Gospel, and the doctrines of it; to their duty to God, fellow creatures, and fellow Christians; in short, with all knowledge necessary to salvation, though as yet not perfect, and which will not be in this world, but in another: able also to admonish one another ; as they must be, since they were both good and knowing; goodness and knowledge are necessary to admonition, and qualify persons for it: if a man is not a good man himself, he is not fit to admonish another; and if he has not knowledge, he will not be able to do it as it should be; and without humanity and tenderness, he will not perform it aright, and with success; but all this being in these persons, they were able and fit for it. Some copies read it, able also to admonish others; so the Syriac version renders; which makes the expression still stronger, and enlarges their praise and commendation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-21 - The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had writte to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God ha appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can neve be pleasing to the holy God. The conversion of souls pertains unto God therefore it is the matter of Paul's glorying, not the things of the flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not make one sou obedient, further than the Spirit of God accompanied his labours. He principally sought the good of those that sat in darkness. Whateve good we do, it is Christ who does it by us.
Greek Textus Receptus
πεπεισμαι 3982 5769 V-RPI-1S δε 1161 CONJ αδελφοι 80 N-VPM μου 3450 P-1GS και 2532 CONJ αυτος 846 P-NSM εγω 1473 P-1NS περι 4012 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP οτι 3754 CONJ και 2532 CONJ αυτοι 846 P-NPM μεστοι 3324 A-NPM εστε 2075 5748 V-PXI-2P αγαθωσυνης 19 N-GSF πεπληρωμενοι 4137 5772 V-RPP-NPM πασης 3956 A-GSF γνωσεως 1108 N-GSF δυναμενοι 1410 5740 V-PNP-NPM και 2532 CONJ αλληλους 240 C-APM νουθετειν 3560 5721 V-PAN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
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.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
15:14 {I myself also} (kai autos eg"). See #7:25 for a like emphasis on himself, here in contrast with "ye yourselves" (kai autoi). The argument of the epistle has been completed both in the main line (chapters #1-8) and the further applications (#9:1-15:13). Here begins the Epilogue, the personal matters of importance. {Full of goodness} (mestoi agaqosunes). See #2Th 1:11; Ga 5:22 for this LXX and Pauline word (in ecclesiastical writers also) made from the adjective agaqos, good, by adding -sune (common ending for words like dikaiosune. See #1:29 for mestos with genitive and peplr"menoi (perfect passive participle of plerow as here), but there with instrumental case after it instead of the genitive. Paul gives the Roman Christians (chiefly Gentiles) high praise. The "all knowledge" is not to be pressed too literally, "our Christian knowledge in its entirety" (Sanday and Headlam). {To admonish} (nouthetein). To put in mind (from nouqetes and this from nous and tiqemi). See on 1Th 5:12,14. "Is it laying too much stress on the language of compliment to suggest that these words give a hint of St. Paul's aim in this epistle?" (Sanday and Headlam). The strategic position of the church in Rome made it a great center for radiating and echoing the gospel over the world as Thessalonica did for Macedonia (#1Th 1:8).
