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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 1:9 - 1:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
9. γὰρ introduces the personal reasons for his writing. He establishes personal relations with his readers before communicating his message, as he bases his commission on personal relations with the Lord. Cf. Col 1:3 ff. (the other unvisited church to which he wrote); 2Ti 1:3. Note also the force of Rom 15:14-30.
μάρτυς … ὁ θεὸς κ.τ.λ. This form of emphatic assertion is specially used by S. Paul (only), when asserting the state of his own mind, 2Co 1:23; Php 1:8; 1Th 2:5; 1Th 2:10; cf. Wis 1:6; and is no doubt occasioned by the misrepresentations of his motives made by opponents.
ᾧ λατρεύω κ.τ.λ. adds emphasis by express assertion of his wholehearted devotion to GOD’s service.
λατρεύω. cf. Westcott on Hebr. p. 232, “marks the service of perfect subjection to a sovereign power”; uniformly expresses religious service, voluntarily offered.
ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου. The service rendered is spiritual, not ritual (cf. Php 3:3), and offered by means of the central function of man’s personality. The connexion seems to be, the Gospel absorbs my activity in the service of GOD, and it is therefore easy to understand my interest in you.
ἐν τ. εὐ. τ. υ. α. The sphere of activity: GOD’s Gospel (Rom 1:1) is also the Gospel of His Son, whose name is its epitome (Rom 1:5) and who Himself is the author and commissioner (Rom 1:5).
ὡς, how. μνείαν ὑ. ποι., make mention of; cf. 1Th 1:2, Eph 1:16 alibi; always of prayer.