forbidden to pass through Macedonia and to preach the word in Mysia: for this was done, not that
there were limits prescribed to him, but that he was for a time to go elsewhere; for the harvest was
not as yet ripe there.
Ye are the called of Jesus Christ,etc. He assigns a reason more nearly connected with them —
because the Lord had already exhibited in them an evidence by which he had manifested that he
had called them to a participation of the gospel. It hence followed, that if they wished their own
calling to remain sure, they were not to reject the ministry of Paul, who had been chosen by the
same election of God. I therefore take this clause, “the called of Jesus Christ,” as explanatory, as
though the particle “even” were inserted; for he means, that they were by calling made partakers
of Christ. For they who shall be heirs of eternal life, are chosen by the celestial Father to be children
in Christ; and when chosen, they are committed to his care and protection as their shepherd.^24
7.To all of you who are at Rome,etc. By this happy arrangement he sets forth what there is in
us worthy of commendation; he says, that first the Lord through his own kindness made us the
objects of his favor and love; and then that he has called us; and thirdly, that he has called us to
holiness: but this high honor only then exists, when we are not wanting to our call.
Here a rich truth presents itself to us, to which I shall briefly refer, and leave it to be meditated
upon by each individual: Paul does by no means ascribe the praise of our salvation to ourselves,
but derives it altogether from the fountain of God’s free and paternal love towards us; for he makes
this the first thing — God loves us: and what is the cause of his love, except his own goodness
alone? On this depends our calling, by which in his own time he seals his adoption to those whom
he had before freely chosen. We also learn from this passage that none rightly connect themselves
with the number of the faithful, except they feel assured that the Lord is gracious, however unworthy
and wretched sinners they may be, and except they be stimulated by his goodness and aspire to
holiness, for he hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:7.) As the
Greek can be rendered in the second person, I see no reason for any change.
Grace to you and peace,etc. Nothing is more desirable than to have God propitious to us, and
this is signified by grace; and then to have prosperity and success in all things flowing from him,
and this is intimated by peace; for however things may seem to smile on us, if God be angry, even
blessing itself is turned to a curse. The very foundation then of our felicity is the favor of God, by
which we enjoy true and solid prosperity, and by which also our salvation is promoted even when
we are in adversities.^25 And then as he prays to God for peace, we must understand, that whatever
good comes to us, it is the fruit of divine benevolence. Nor must we omit to notice, that he prays
at the same time to the Lord Jesus Christ for these blessings. Worthily indeed is this honor rendered
to him, who is not only the administrator and dispenser of his Father’s bounty to us, but also works
all things in connection with him. It was, however, the special object of the Apostle to show, that
through him all God’s blessings come to us.^26
(^24) “The called of Jesus Christ,” i.e., the called who belong to Christ. means, not only those to whom the external call of
the gospel has been addressed, but those who have been also internally called.” — Stuart. The same author renders the words
, in the next verse, “chosen saints,” or, “saints effectually called.” — Ed.
(^25) “The ancient Greeks and Romans,” says Turrettin, “wished to those to whom they wrote, in the inscription of their epistles,
health, joy, happiness; but Paul prays for far higher blessings even the favor of God, the fountain of all good things, and peace,
in which the Hebrews included all blessings.” — Ed.
(^26) “From God our Father, — if God, then able; if our Father, then willing to enrich us with his gifts: and from our Lord Jesus
Christ, — from our Lord, who has purchased them for us; from Jesus, for without these we cannot be saved; from Christ, for he
is anointed with grace and peace, John 1:16.” — Parr