COMMENTARIES ON THE
EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.
CHAPTER 1
Romans 1:1-7
- Paulus, servus Iesu Christi, vocatus
Apostolus, selectus in Evangelium Dei, - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be
an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, - Quod ante promiserat per Prophetas suos
in Scripturis Sanctis, - (Which he had promised afore by his
prophets in the holy scriptures,) - De Filio suo, qui factus est è semine David
secundum carnem, - Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
which was made of the seed of David according
to the flesh; - Declaratus Filius Dei in potentia, per
Spiritum sanctificationis, ex resurrectione
mortuorum, Iesu Christo Domino nostro: - And declared to be the Son of God with
power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead: - Per quem accepimus gratiam et
Apostolatum, in obedientiam fidei inter omnes
gentes, pro nomine ipsius; - By whom we have received grace and
apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all
nations, for his name: - Inter quas estis etiam vos, vocati Iesu
Christi: - Among whom are ye also the called of
Jesus Christ: - Omnibus qui Romæ estis, dilectis Deo,
vocatis sanctis: gratia vobis, et pax a Deo Patre
nostro, et Domino Iesu Christo. - 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.
1.Paul, etc.^11 — With regard to the word Paul, as it is a subject of no such moment as ought
to detain us, and as nothing can be said which has not been mentioned by other expounders, I should
say nothing, were it not proper to satisfy some at small expense without being tedious to others;
for the subject shall be despatched in a very few words.
They who think that the Apostle attained this name as a trophy for having brought Sergius, the
proconsul, to the faith of Christ, are confuted by the testimony of Luke, who shows that he was so
called before that time. (Acts 13:7, 9.) Nor does it seem probable to me, that it was given him when
he was converted to Christ; though this idea so pleased Augustine, that he took occasion refinedly
to philosophize on the subject; for he says, that from a proud Saul he was made a very little (parvulum
(^11) “The inscription of the Pauline Epistles,” says Turrettin, “is according to the manner of the ancients, both Greeks and
Romans. They were wont to prefix their name; and to those to whom they wrote they added their good wishes.” We have an
example in Acts 23:26. — Ed.