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xi. 31. — Xarpevu, I serve), as an apostle, ch. xv. 16. The witness of Gocl resounds [is often appealed to] in spiritual service ; and he who serves God, desires and rejoices, that as many as possible should serve God, 2 Tim. i. 3. — v, mention of you) Paul was wont to make distinct and explicit mention of the churches, and of the souls of their members.
10. "E mus nor'e, The accumulation of the particles in-
timates the strength of the desire.
11. M eradco, I may impart ), in your presence, by the preach- ing of the Gospel, ver. 15, by profitable discourses, by prayers, etc. Paul was not satisfied with writing an epistle in the meantime, but retained this purpose, ch. xv. 24. There is much greater advantage in being present, than in sending letters, when the former falls out so [when one can be present in person], — ^apiff/xa, •jrvsv/jja.riTibv, spiritual gift) In these gifts, the Corinthians abounded, inasmuch as they had been favoured with the presence of Paul, 1 Cor. i. 7, xii. 1, xiv. 1 ; in like manner the Galatians, Gal. iii. 5. And those churches, which were gladdened by the presence of the apostles , had evidently distinguished privileges of this kind ; for example, from the im- position of the apostles’ hands, Acts xix. 2, 6, viii. 17, 18; and 2 Tim. i. 6. But hitherto, at least, the Romans were much inferior in this respect ; wherefore also the enumeration of gifts at ch. xii. 6, 7, is extremely brief. He is, therefore, desirous to go to their assistance, that they may he established , for the tes- timony of Christ was confirmed by means of the gifts. — 1 Cor. i. 6. Peter had not, any more than Paul, visited Rome, before this epistle was written, as we learn from this passage, and indeed from the whole tenor of the epistle ; since Peter, had he been at Rome, would have imparted, what Paul was desirous to impart, to the Romans. Furthermore, Baronius thinks that this epistle was written a.d. 58 ; whereas the martyrdom of Peter took place a.d. 67 ; therefore, if he was at Rome at all, he could not have remained long at Rome. — arvipiyjfyvui, to he esta- blished) He speaks modestly ; It is the province of God to esta- blish, ch. xvi. 25. Paul intimates, that he is only the instrument.
12. ToZro 6e k<sn, Moreover , that is) He explains the words, to see you , etc. He does not say, Moreover , that is, that I may bring you into the form of a regularly constituted church . Pre-
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