1 Wee then that are strong, ought to beare the infirmities of the weake, and not to please our selues.
2 Let euery one of vs please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For euen Christ pleased not himselfe, but as it is written, The reproches of them that reproched thee, fell on mee.
4 For whatsoeuer things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation graunt you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Iesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God, euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ.
7 Wherfore receiue yee one another, as Christ also receiued vs, to the glory of God.
8 Now I say, that Iesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the trueth of God, to confirme the promises made vnto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercie, as it is written, For this cause I will confesse to thee among the Gentiles, and sing vnto thy Name.
10 And againe he saith, Reioyce yee Gentiles with his people.
11 And againe, Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles, and laud him all ye people.
12 And againe Esaias saith, There shal be a roote of Iesse, and he that shal rise to raigne ouer the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 Nowe the God of hope fill you with all ioy and peace in beleeuing, that yee may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost.
14 And I my selfe also am perswaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodnesse, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15 Neuerthelesse, brethren, I haue written the more boldly vnto you, in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is giuen to mee of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the Gospel of God, that the offering vp of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost.
17 I haue therfore whereof I may glory through Iesus Christ, in those things which pertaine to God.
18 For I will not dare to speake of any of those things, which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deede,
19 Through mighty signes and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Hierusalem and round about vnto Illyricum, I haue fully preached the Gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so haue I striued to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build vpon another mans foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom hee was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that haue not heard, shall vnderstand.
22 For which cause also I haue been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now hauing no more place in these parts, and hauing a great desire these many yeeres to come vnto you:
24 Whensoeuer I take my iourney into Spaine, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my iourney, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I goe vnto Hierusalem, to minister vnto the Saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certaine contribution for the poore Saints which are at Hierusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verely, and their detters they are. For if the Gentiles haue bene made partakers of their spirituall things, their duetie is also to minister vnto them in carnall things.
28 When therefore I haue performed this, and hane sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spaine.
29 And I am sure that when I come vnto you, I shall come in the fulnes of the blessing of þe Gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Iesus Christs sake, and for the loue of the Spirit, that ye striue together with me, in your praiers to God for me,
31 That I may bee deliuered from them that do not beleeue in Iudea, and that my seruice which I haue for Hierusalem, may bee accepted of the Saints:
32 That I may come vnto you with ioy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace bee with you all. Amen.
Directions how to behave towards the weak. (1-7) All to receive one another as brethren. (8-13) The writing and preaching of the apostle. (14-21) His purposed journeys. (22-29) He requests their prayers. (30-33)1-7 Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.
8-13 Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God. Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. "All joy and peace;" all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.
14-21 The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can never be pleasing to the holy God. The conversion of souls pertains unto God; therefore it is the matter of Paul's glorying, not the things of the flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not make one soul obedient, further than the Spirit of God accompanied his labours. He principally sought the good of those that sat in darkness. Whatever good we do, it is Christ who does it by us.
22-29 The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is pleasing to God, before visits and compliments, which may please us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the conversion of souls. Christian society is a heaven upon earth, an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ at the great day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our communion with Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The apostle was going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of charity. God loves a cheerful giver. Every thing that passes between Christians should be a proof and instance of the union they have in Jesus Christ. The Gentiles received the gospel of salvation from the Jews; therefore were bound to minister to them in what was needed for the body. Concerning what he expected from them he speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from God he speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to have the gospel with the fulness of its blessings! What wonderful and happy effects does it produce, when attended with the power of the Spirit!
30-33 Let us learn to value the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous. How careful should we be, lest we forfeit our interest in the love and prayers of God's praying people! If we have experienced the Spirit's love, let us not be wanting in this office of kindness for others. Those that would prevail in prayer, must strive in prayer. Those who beg the prayers of others, must not neglect to pray for themselves. And though Christ knows our state and wants perfectly, he will know them from us. As God must be sought, for restraining the ill-will of our enemies, so also for preserving and increasing the good-will of our friends. All our joy depends upon the will of God. Let us be earnest in prayer with and for each other, that for Christ's sake, and by the love of the Holy Spirit, great blessings may come upon the souls of Christians, and the labours of ministers.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.