Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Romans
Book: Romans
Chapter: 16
Overview:
The
Apostle recommends Phoebe to the
Church at
Rome, and
greets several friends there.
(1-16) Cautions the
Church against
such as made divisions.
(17-20) Christian salutations.
(21-24)
The epistle concludes with ascribing
Glory to
God.
(25-27)
1-16 Paul recommends Phoebe to the Christians at
Rome. It
becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs,
especially strangers; we know not what help we may need
ourselves.
Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many;
he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care
of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember
many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular
characters of them, and express concern for them. Lest any
should feel themselves hurt, as if
Paul had forgotten them, he
sends his remembrances to the
Rest, as brethren and saints,
though not named. He adds, in the close, a general
Salutation to
them all, in the name of the churches of
Christ.
17-20 How
Earnest, how endearing are these exhortations!
Whatever differs from the sound doctrine of the Scriptures,
opens a door to divisions and offences. If
Truth be forsaken,
unity and peace will not last long. Many
Call Christ, Master and
Lord, who are far from serving him. But they serve their
Carnal,
sensual, worldly interests. They corrupt the head
By deceiving
the
Heart; perverting the judgments
By winding themselves into
the affections. We have great need to keep our hearts with all
diligence. It has been the common policy of seducers to set upon
those who are softened
By convictions. A pliable temper is good
when under good guidance, otherwise it may be easily led astray.
Be
So Wise as not to be deceived, yet
So simple as not to be
deceivers. The blessing the
Apostle expects from
God, is victory
over
Satan. This includes all designs and devices of
Satan
against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his
attempts to keep us from the peace of
Heaven here, and the
possession of
Heaven hereafter. When
Satan seems to prevail, and
we are ready to give up all as lost, then will the
God of peace
interpose in our behalf.
Hold out therefore,
Faith and patience,
yet a little while. If the
Grace of
Christ be with us, who can
prevail against us?
21-24 The
Apostle adds affectionate remembrances from persons
with him, known to the Roman Christians. It is a great comfort
to see the
Holiness and usefulness of our kindred. Not many
mighty, not many noble are called, but some are. It is lawful
for believers to
Bear civil offices; and it were to be wished
that all offices in
Christian states, and in the
Church, were
bestowed upon prudent and steady Christians.
25-27 That which establishes souls, is, the
Plain preaching of
Jesus Christ. Our
Redemption and
Salvation By our
Lord Jesus
Christ, are, without controversy, a great
Mystery of
Godliness.
And yet, blessed be
God, there is as much of this
Mystery made
Plain as will bring us to
Heaven, if we do not wilfully neglect
So great
Salvation.
Life and
Immortality are brought to
Light By
the
Gospel, and the
Sun of
Righteousness is risen
On the world.
The Scriptures of the prophets, what they left in
Writing, is
not only made
Plain in itself, but
By it this
Mystery is made
known to all nations.
Christ is
Salvation to all nations. And
the
Gospel is revealed, not to be talked of and disputed about,
but to be submitted to. The obedience of
Faith is that obedience
which is paid to the
Word of
Faith, and which comes
By the
Grace
of
Faith. All the
Glory that passes from fallen
Man to
God,
So
as to be accepted of him, must go through the
Lord Jesus, in
whom alone our persons and doings are, or can be, pleasing to
God. Of his
Righteousness we must make mention, even of his
only; who, as he is the
Mediator of all our prayers,
So he is,
and will be, to eternity, the
Mediator of all our praises.
Remembering that we are called to the obedience of
Faith, and
that every degree of
Wisdom is from the only
Wise God, we
should,
By Word and deed, render
Glory to him through
Jesus
Christ; that
So the
Grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ may be with
us for ever.