He is quite sensible of the serious responsibility of the attempt, and its many deficiencies; but he begs to state that his purpose has been merely to put together, in a simple form, the thoughts and interpretations of others, and that, as he believes, there is not one explanation which has not for its author some learned and eminent divine.

He has only to add his prayers that the work may prosper in that for which it was published; namely, for the forwarding of Christ's kingdom, by enabling the ignorant and the idle to look, through this means, with clearer eyes upon the lamp of God.

Worlingworth, 1837.

THE EPISTLE

OF

PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS.

THIS Epistle was written or dictated by Paul the Apostle at Corinth, about the year of our Lord 58.

Written from his dictation, or transcribed by Turtius.(Chap. xvi. 22.)

Conveyed to Rome by Phoebe, (chap. xvi. 1, 2,) a deaconess of the Church at Cenchrea, the eastern part of the city of Corinth.

Addressed to the Church, the assembly of Christians, at Rome, which consisted of both Jewish and Heathen converts.

The Apostle had never been at Rome when he wrote this Epistle. It is not known whether, at this period, the gospel had ever been preached at Rome by any of the apostles, but on the day of Pentecost there were dwelling at Jerusalem "strangers of Rome," (Acts ii. 10,) who doubtless were impressed with and converted by that wonderful miracle.

It contains sixteen chapters.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL, a servant [minister] of Jesus Christ, called [appointed] by him to be an apostle, separated [set apart, even from his mother's womb, Gal. i. 15,] for the service of the gospel [the good news] of God.

B

2 Which gospel God had promised long before by his prophets in the holy Scriptures [the Old Testament].

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made [born] of the seed [lineage] of David, according to the flesh [his mortal nature].

4 And declared to be the Son of God with all power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5 By whom, even by Jesus Christ, we, his ministers, have received grace and apostleship to bring all nations under the obedience of faith to his name.

6 Among whom are ye also who are the called of Jesus Christ.

7 I, Paul, write 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 prayers;

10 Making request, if by any means, now, after long waiting, 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 [some portion of the Holy Spirit vouchsafed to me], to the end that ye may be established in the faith.

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with

you, by receiving and imparting 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 [hindered] hitherto,) that I might have some fruit in you also, even as amongst other Gentiles [nations not having the law, not Jews].

14 For I am a debtor, by and through the grace of God lent [imparted] to me, both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, [i. e. to all people,] both to the wise and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as I am able, 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 it; to the Jew first, they having the first offer as God's people, and also to the Greek, [other people, heathens.]

17 For therein, in the gospel, is the righteousness of God revealed from God, who is faithful, to the faith of the believer; as it is written in the prophet Habakkuk (ii. 4), "The just [in his time looking forward to a Saviour] shall live by faith."

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of those who are wicked, knowing the truth.

19 Because that which may be known of God, is made clear to them, God hath shewed it to them.

20 For those things which cannot be seen, [God's eternal power, infinite goodness, justice, wisdom, the power by which he made the world,] are clearly

known, even from the very beginning; being understood by those things which he hath made, viz. the works of creation; these prove his power. Those, therefore, who refuse to believe, are without excuse.

21 Because that knowing God by this means, they did not glorify him as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened thereby.

22 Professing themselves wise, they became fools. 23 In proof of which they changed the glory of the uncorruptible God [the only fit object of worship] into a form or image made like to corruptible man, and to the likeness of birds and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore [as a punishment for their idolatry] God withdrew his Spirit, and gave them up to their own unclean lusts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves;

25 Who changed the truth of God into false worship, and served the creature [idols, beasts, reptiles,] more than the Creator [God], who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For which reason God gave them up unto vile affections [lusts]; 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 lusts one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves (in the iniquity to which God gave them up) that recompense of their sin [idolatry] which was fit [their due].