But after having admonished and exhorted the Romans as to what they were to do, he turns to
pray for them: for he fully understood, that to speak of duty was to no purpose, except God inwardly
effected by his Spirit what he spoke by the mouth of man. The sum of his prayer is, — that he
would bring their minds to real unanimity, and make them united among themselves: he also shows
at the same time what is the bond of unity, for he wished them to agree together according to Christ
Jesus Miserable indeed is the union which is unconnected with God, and that is unconnected with
him, which alienates us from his truth.^443
And that he might recommend to us an agreement in Christ, he teaches us how necessary it is:
for God is not truly glorified by us, unless the hearts of all agree in giving him praise, and their
tongues also join in harmony. There is then no reason for any to boast that he will give glory to
God after his own manner; for the unity of his servants is so much esteemed by God, that he will
not have his glory sounded forth amidst discords and contentions. This one thought ought to be
sufficient to check the wanton rage for contention and quarreling, which at this day too much
possesses the minds of many.
Romans 15:7-12
- Itaque suscipite vos mutuo, quemadmodum
Christus vos suscepit, in gloriam Dei. - Wherefore receive ye one another, as
Christ also received us to the glory of God. - Dico autem Iesum Christum ministerium
fuisse circumcisionis super veritate Dei ad
promissiones Patrum confirmandas: - Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister
of the circumcision for the truth of God, to
confirm the promises made unto the fathers: - Gentes autem pro misericordia glorificare
debent Deum; quemadmodum scriptum est, - And that the Gentiles might glorify God
for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will
Propter hoc confitebor tibi inter Gentes et nomini
tuo psallam:
confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto
thy name.- Et rursum dicit, Exultate Gentes cum
populo ejus; - And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles,
with his people.
(^443) There is a difference of opinion as to the unity contemplated here, whether it be that of sentiment or of feeling. The phrase,
, occurs in the following places, Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2; Philippians 3:16;
Philippians 4:2Leigh says, that the phrase signifies to be of one mind, of one judgment, of one affection, towards one another.
But though the verb may admit of these three significations, yet the Apostle no doubt had in view a specific idea; and when
we consider that he had been inculcating the principle of toleration as to unity of sentiment with regard to the eating of meats
and of observing of days, and that he has been enforcing the duty of forbearance, and of sympathy, and of love towards each
other, it appears probable that unity of feeling and of concern for each other’s welfare is what is intended here. Beza, Scott, and
Chalmers take this view, while Pareus, Mede, and Stuart take the other, that is, that unity of sentiment is what is meant.
What confirms the former, in addition to the general import of the context, is the clause which follows, “according to Christ
Jesus,” which evidently means, “according to his example,” as mentioned in verse 3.
Then in the next verse, the word μ μ refers to the unity of feeling and of action, rather than to that of sentiment. It
occurs, besides here, in these places, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1,46; Acts 4:24; Acts 5:12; Acts 7:57; Acts 8:6; Acts 12:20; Acts 15:25;
Acts 18:12; Acts 19:29. It is used by the Septuagint for , which means “together.” It is rendered “unanimiter — unanimously,”
Beza; “with one mind,” by Doddridge; and “unanimously,” by Macknight. It is thus paraphrased by Grotius, “with a mind full
of mutual love, free from contempt, free from hatred.” — Ed.