Rom 12:3, 15:15 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 3. Through the grace given unto me ] By the grace given St. Paul most certainly means his apostolical office , by which he had the authority , not only to preach the Gospel, but also to rule the Church of Christ. This is the meaning of the word, ηχαρις, in : Unto me who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given -is conceded this office or employment immediately by God himself; that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ . Not to think-more highly ] μηυπερφρονειν, Not to act proudly ; to arrogate nothing to himself on account of any grace he had received, or of any office committed to him. But to think soberly ] αλλαφρονεινειςτοσωφρονειν. The reader will perceive here a sort of paronomasia , or play upon words: φρονειν, from φρην, the mind , signifies to think, mind, relish, to be of opinion , &c.; and σωφρονειν from σοος, sound, and φρην, the mind , signifies to be of a sound mind ; to think discreetly, modestly, humbly . Let no man think himself more or greater than God has made him; and let him know that what ever he is or has of good or excellence, he has it from God ; and that the glory belongs to the giver, and not to him who has received the gift. Measure of faith. ] μετρονπιστεως. It is very likely, as Dr. Moore has conjectured, that the πιστις, faith , here used, means the Christian religion; and the measure , the degree of knowledge and experience which each had received in it, and the power this gave him of being useful in the Church of God. See .

‏ Romans 12:3

Verse 3. Through the grace given unto me] By the grace given St. Paul most certainly means his apostolical office, by which he had the authority, not only to preach the Gospel, but also to rule the Church of Christ. This is the meaning of the word, ηχαρις, in Eph 3:8: Unto me who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given-is conceded this office or employment immediately by God himself; that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Not to think-more highly] μηυπερφρονειν, Not to act proudly; to arrogate nothing to himself on account of any grace he had received, or of any office committed to him.

But to think soberly] αλλαφρονεινειςτοσωφρονειν. The reader will perceive here a sort of paronomasia, or play upon words: φρονειν, from φρην, the mind, signifies to think, mind, relish, to be of opinion, &c.; and σωφρονειν from σοος, sound, and φρην, the mind, signifies to be of a sound mind; to think discreetly, modestly, humbly. Let no man think himself more or greater than God has made him; and let him know that what ever he is or has of good or excellence, he has it from God; and that the glory belongs to the giver, and not to him who has received the gift.

Measure of faith.] μετρονπιστεως. It is very likely, as Dr. Moore has conjectured, that the πιστις, faith, here used, means the Christian religion; and the measure, the degree of knowledge and experience which each had received in it, and the power this gave him of being useful in the Church of God. See Ro 12:6.

‏ Romans 15:15

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.