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love was in some cases extinct or abuses arose, for in writing to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, when he was in prison, he gave no charge concerning this kiss. The difference has regard to the time, not to the place, for the Philippians were in Macedonia, as well as the Thessalonians. I do not say however that the difference of time was altogether the only reason, why the holy kiss was commanded or not commanded. In the second Epistle to the Thessalonians there was no need to give directions about it so soon after the first had been received. The condition of the Galatians at that time rendered such directions unsuitable. — ai sxxXriGjai1) the churches) with whom I have been, ch. xv. 26. He had made known to them, that he wTas writing to Pome.
17. ’A d&Xtpotj brethren) While he is embracing in his mind, in ver. 16, the churches of Christ, exhortation suggests itself inci- dentally ; for when it is concluded in the form of a parenthesis, they, who send salutations , are added to those, who receive them : ver. 21. — rovg rac) There were therefore such men at Rome. The second epistle to the Thessalonians, which was written before this to the Romans, may be compared, ch. ii. — rag d/^oGra- c/ag, divisions) by which [what is even] good is not well de- fended.— ra GxdvdaXa, offences) by which [what is positively] evil gains admittance. — sfidkre, ye have learned) To have once for all learned constitutes an obligation, 1 Cor. xv. 1 ; 2 Cor. xi. 4 ; Gal. i. 9 ; Phil. iv. 9 ; 2 Tim. iii. 14. — exxXivars) comp. Gr'sX- X e-Gdai, 2 Thess. iii. 6 ; vapairau, Tit. iii 10 ; comp. 1 Cor. v. 11 ; 2 John ver. 10. There was not yet the form of a church at Rome. The admonition therefore is rather framed so as to apply to individuals , than to the whole body of believers. There is however a testimony regarding the future in this epistle to the Romans, as the Song of Moses was a rule to be followed by Israel.
18. o/ roiouroi) such as these. The substance with its quality is denoted. — xoiXicp, the belly) Phil. iii. 19. — wriGroXoyiag) as
1 The Germ. Yer. has restored the reading of xaxi, although it was de- clared on the margin of both Ed. as not quite so certain. — E. B.
T)Gfg omit xarrx^. vp. xi exx'X. Tlxcrxi r. "XpiGTOv, but add these words at the end of ver. 21. ABC Vulg. have all the words, including rxaai, which Rec. Text omits without any good authority. — Ed.
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