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writes familiarly to the brethren whom he had not yet seen, as though by virtue of right [as if his claim on them were matter of right]. — vpuv, you) He speaks modestly. The Romans were rather likely to have reason to be filled (to be fully grati- fied) with Paul’s company. — a<ro p'epovg, in some measure) He intimates to them, that he would not however be so long at Rome, as he wished ; or else, that it is Christ, and not believers, with whom believers should be perfectly filled.
25. Aiuxovuv, ministering) after the example of Christ, ver. 8. — roTg dyiotg, to the saints) See note at Acts xx. 32.
26. Maxsdovta xa/ ' Kyjzta, Macedonia and Achaia) From this expression the time, at which the epistle was written, may be gathered, Acts xix. 21. — Koivuviav, an act of communion , or com- munication [a contribution ]) A term of description [applied to their gift of brotherly love] honourable and exceedingly just. — ruv dytw, of the saints) He does not say, poor saints (Gr. the poor among the saints). Therefore not all the saints were poor. Therefore the community of goods had now ceased at Jerusalem, after the death of Ananias and Sapphira, and after the persecu- tion, Acts viii. 1.
27. Evdoxrjfiuv yap, for they have been pleased) supply, I say , comp, the beginning of the preceding verse. Pleased , and debt, are twice mentioned. — xa/', and) Liberty and necessity in good works are one and the same [found together]. — .*/ yap, for if) This mode of reasoning applies also to the Romans ; he there- fore mildly invites and admonishes them, in this epilogue of the epistle, to contribute : comp. ch. xii. 13. — bpeiXouti, they owe it) by virtue of the debt of brotherly kindness, 2 Cor. ix. 7. —
irov py %<; ai, to minister) The inferior ministers to the superior.
28. ’Efl7rsA£<ras xa t vppayiffd^svoi) Words nearly related to each other, 2 Kings xxii. 4, SjDarrnK DFM, lxx., xai atppdyiffov rb dpyvpiov, and seal the silver. Paul finished this first ; nothing interrupted him, how eager soever he might be as to other objects, Acts xix. 21. appayicafisvog, as soon as I shall have sealed, not only that they might perceive the good faith of him, who delivered it, but that they might also be confirmed in spiritual communion. a-TrgXgutfo/xa/, I will go away) even though I may never be about to return from Spain. This is the force of the compound verb. — Zvav/av, Spain) Paul does not seem to
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