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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Romans 1:5 - 1:5
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By whom; or of whom; by whom, as Mediator, or of whom, as Author and Giver.
Grace and apostleship: some make these two distinct gifts; the one common, which is grace; the other special, which is apostleship: others think, that, by an hendiadis, he means the grace of apostleship; which he so calls, because it was conferred upon him, not for any desert of his, but by the mere favour and free grace of God. It is his manner to call his apostleship by the name or style of grace: see Rom_15:15 Gal_2:9 Eph_3:2,8.
For obedience to the faith; you have the same phrase, Rom_16:26, and there it is rendered for the obedience of faith. By faith here some understand the gospel or doctrine of faith; it hath this sense, Act_6:7 Jud_1:3, &c.; and then the meaning is, God, of his mere grace, hath given me this office, that I might bring the nations to believe, and work in them obedience to the doctrine of the gospel. Others understand the grace of faith; and then the meaning is, I have received this office, that I might bring the nations to believe, and so to obey the gospel. Therefore obedience is joined with faith, because by faith we obey the commands of God; and faith itself consists in obedience, and is the great command of the gospel.
Among all nations; according to the general commission, Mat_28:19, and a more special commission to this apostle; see Act_9:15 Gal_2:7,8 1Ti_2:7 2Ti_1:11.
For his name; that the nations might believe in his name; so some: others suppose these words are added to declare the end of Paul’s preaching and apostleship, which was to set forth the glory and praise of Christ: see 2Th_1:12.