caution was taken [by Divine foresight] lest the Church of Rome should be the occasion of any mischief, which nevertheless arose in after-times. — v re xu7 efiov, both of you and me) He not only associates with himself the Romans, together with whom he longs to be comforted [or stirred up together with whom ], hut he even puts them first in the order of words, before himself. The style of the apostle is widely different from that of the Papal court at Rome.
13. Ou — ayvoe/i', not — to be ignorant) A form of expression usual with Paul, which shows the candour of his mind. — ads\<poi, brethren) An address, frequent, holy, adapted to all, simple, agreeable, magnificent. It is profitable, in this place, to con- sider the titles, which the apostles use in their addresses. They rather seldom introduce proper names, such as Corinthians , Timothy , etc. Paul most frequently calls them brethren ; some- times, when he is exhorting them, beloved , or my beloved brethren. James says, brethren , my brethren, my beloved brethren ; Peter and Jude always use the word beloved; John often, beloved; once, brethren ; more than once, little , or my little children , as Paul, my son Timothy. — xaprrbv cyfb, I might have fruit) Have , a word elegantly placed midway between receive and give. What is profitable to others is a delight to Paul himself. He esteems that as the fruit [of his labour ] (Phil. i. 22). In every place, he wishes to have something [a gift] put out at interest. He some- what modifies [qualifies] this desire of gain [spiritual gain], when he speaks of himself in the following verse as a debtor. He both demands and owes , ver. 12, 11. By the cords of these two forces, the 15th verse is steadied and strengthened. — xuQug, even as) Good extends itself among as many as possible.
14. 'e Wqfft re xa / (3otp[3cipoig , alike to the Greeks and to the barbarians). He reckons those among the Greeks, to whom he is writing: in the Greek language. This division into Greeks and barbarians comprehends the entire Gentile world. There follows another division, alike to the wise and to the unwise; for there were fools even among the Greeks, and also wise men even among the Barbarians. To all, he says, I am debtor , by virtue of my divine commission to all, as being the servant of all (2 Cor. iv. 5.) Though men excel in wisdom or in power, the Gospel is still necessary to them ; others [beside the wise and powerful] are not excluded. — (Col. i. 28, note.)