PREFATORY REMARKS TO THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS. As St. Paul, who at first was also called Saul, was the author not only of this, but most of the epistles, it may not be improper to give a short account of his life. He was born at Tarsus, one of the principal towns in Cilicia, probably not long after the birth of our Saviour. His parents were Jews, of the tribe of Benjamin; and as they were Pharisees, Paul was educated in all the principles and prejudices of that sect. He had the privileges of a Roman citizen by birth-right, but how his parents acquired these privileges is not certain. Paul spent the early part of his life at Tarsus, and probably was there taught Grecian literature and philosophy. He afterward went to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel, a celebrated Jewish Rabbi, or doctor of the law, with whom he made great proficiency in the law, and the traditions of the elders. Paul appears to have possessed great natural abilities, quick apprehension, strong feelings, and firm resolution, which qualified him for eminence as a teacher of whatever principles he might embrace. He distinguished himself by his zeal in favour of the Jewish religion, and against the disciples of Jesus Christ, till, on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus in order to persecute the Christians, he was called in a miraculous manner to the profession of that religion, which he was madly endeavouring to destroy. From this time Paul was ever a firm and unshaken friend to the Christian cause. He spent the remaining part of his life in travelling through the most populous parts of Asia and Europe, teaching the Gospel, and convincing both Jews and Gentiles, that Jesus was Christ the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. It is pretty well ascertained, that Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome, being beheaded about a. D. 64, in the reign of the emperor Nero. As this Epistle to the Romans is of great importance, and somewhat difficult to be understood, it may be well to be a little more particular concerning it. At what time, and by whom the Gospel was first preached at Rome, is not certain; but there is good reason to believe, it was early introduced there, and that its converts soon became As this church appears not to have been established by either of the apostles, St. Paul, about A. D. 57, lest it should be corrupted by the Jews, who, at this time were nu numerous. PREFACE. merous at Rome, and of whom many were converted to Christianity, wrote this Epistle, in which he gives a summary of Christian doctrine, and endeavours to guard the Christians against those erroneous ideas, which the Jews entertained of justification by works, or by the observance of the ceremonial law; and of the particular election of their own nation. Concerning justification the Jews assigned three grounds, which they trusted, would secure to them the favour of God; 1. The extraordinary piety and merits of their ancestors, and the covenant made by God with those holy men; 2. the diligent study, and perfect knowledge of the law of Moses; 3. the works of the Levitical law, which, especially circumcision and sacrifice, were to expiate sin. Hence they inferred, that the Gentiles must receive the whole law of Moses in order to be justified and saved. But Paul refuted these dangerous errors, by shewing, that by the deeds of the Levitical law, that is, circumcision, sacrifices, purifications, &c. there was no remission, but only the knowledge of sin; and he taught that the Gospel reveals a righteousness before unknown, which is derived solely from faith, and to which both Jews and Gentiles have an equal claim. Rom. iii. 20-25. The doctrine of the Jews concerning the particular election of their nation was, that, as God had promised to bless Abraham and his seed, to give him not only spiritual blessings, but also the land of Canaan, to allow him to live there in prosperity, and to consider him as his church upon earth; therefore this blessing extended to their whole nation, and that God was bound to fulfil these promises to them, whether they were righteous or wicked, faithful or unbelieving: and that the promise to Abraham," In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," consisted in the conversion of all nations to Judaism by the Jews. Hence they believed, that there was no church on earth, but the Jewish, in which men could be saved. But St. Paul shewed, that the promises of God were not made to all the natural posterity of Abraham, but only to his spiritual children, that is, to all those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who had obtained like precious faith with faithful Abraham. As the Jews, at this time, were very seditious in Rome, Paul exhorts to be subject to magistrates, to abstain from vice, and that Jews and Gentiles, be united in the church by brotherly love. Paul's calling Chap. i. commended. ¶ THE EPISTLE OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE ROMANS. PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, 2 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name; 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ; To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints; Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my pray ers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now, I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,)a that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor b both to the Greeks and also to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is,c I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed What Paul's gospel is. Romans. from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrigh teousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness ;d 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things e of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse; 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; 23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man,f and to birds, and d Who bold the truth in unrighteous ness, who acknowledge the truth, but disobey it. e The invisible things of God, even his eternal power and Godhead, are and ever have been clearly seen even from the foundation of the world, being understood by the things that are made, the heavens, the earth, and all they contain. The sins of the Gentiles. four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves; 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie,g and worshipped and served the crea ture more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections; for even their women did change the natural use into that, which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men, working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error, which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient : 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents; 31 Without understanding, g The truth of God into a lie; the true idea of God into an idol. Chap. ii. Who are justified. covenant-breakers,without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. CHAP. II. They that condemn sin in others, and yet sin, are inexcusable, whether Jews or Gentiles. THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest, doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds; Of keeping the law. 7 To them who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life ;a 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness,b indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish," upon every soul of man that doeth evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile : 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile : 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their eternal life on them, who by patient a Eternal life, i. e. he will bestow continuance, &c. b But obey unrighteousness, he will render indignation and wrath, &c. |