Rom 15:14-15 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 14. And I-am persuaded of you ] This is supposed to be an address to the Gentiles; and it is managed with great delicacy: he seems to apologize for the freedom he had used in writing to them; which he gives them to understand proceeded from the authority he had received by his apostolical office, the exercise of which office respected them particularly. So they could not be offended when they found themselves so particularly distinguished. Ye-are full of goodness ] Instead of αγαθωσυνης, goodness , some MSS. of good repute have αγαπης, love . In this connection both words seem to mean nearly the same thing. They were so full of goodness and love that they were disposed, of themselves, to follow any plan that might be devised, in order to bring about the most perfect understanding between them and their Jewish brethren. Filled with all knowledge ] So completely instructed in the mind and design of God, relative to their calling , and the fruit which they were to bring forth to the glory of God, that they were well qualified to give one another suitable exhortations on every important point. Instead of αλληλους, one another , several MSS. have αλλους, others , which gives a clearer sense: for, if they were all filled with knowledge, there was little occasion for them to admonish one another ; but by this they were well qualified to admonish others -to impart the wisdom they had to those who were less instructed.

‏ Romans 15:14-15

Verse 14. And I-am persuaded of you] This is supposed to be an address to the Gentiles; and it is managed with great delicacy: he seems to apologize for the freedom he had used in writing to them; which he gives them to understand proceeded from the authority he had received by his apostolical office, the exercise of which office respected them particularly. So they could not be offended when they found themselves so particularly distinguished.

Ye-are full of goodness] Instead of αγαθωσυνης, goodness, some MSS. of good repute have αγαπης, love. In this connection both words seem to mean nearly the same thing. They were so full of goodness and love that they were disposed, of themselves, to follow any plan that might be devised, in order to bring about the most perfect understanding between them and their Jewish brethren.

Filled with all knowledge] So completely instructed in the mind and design of God, relative to their calling, and the fruit which they were to bring forth to the glory of God, that they were well qualified to give one another suitable exhortations on every important point.

Instead of αλληλους, one another, several MSS. have αλλους, others, which gives a clearer sense: for, if they were all filled with knowledge, there was little occasion for them to admonish one another; but by this they were well qualified to admonish others-to impart the wisdom they had to those who were less instructed.

Verse 15. Nevertheless-I have written] Not withstanding I have this conviction of your extensive knowledge in the things of God, I have made bold to write to you in some sort, απομερους, to a party among you, as some learned men translate the words, who stand more in need of such instructions than the others; and I do this, because of the grace, διατηνχαριν-because of the office which I have received from God, namely, to be the apostle of the Gentiles. This authority gave him full right to say, advise, or enjoin any thing which he judged to be of importance to their spiritual interests. This subject he pursues farther in the following verse.