Hence the apostleship of Paul was made evident from this circumstance, — that this prophecy was
fulfilled in him.^457
It is absurd for any one to attempt to apply what is here said to the pastoral office; for we know
that in Churches rightly formed, where the truth of the gospel has been already received, Christ’s
name must be constantly preached. Paul then was a preacher of Christ, yet unknown to foreign
nations, for this end, — that after his departure the same doctrine should be daily proclaimed in
every place by the mouth of the pastors; for it is certain that the Prophet speaks of the commencement
of the kingdom of Christ.
Romans 15:22-24
- Itaque impeditus etiam saepius fui
quominus venirem ad vos: - For which cause also I have been much
hindered from coming to you. - Nunc vero nullum amplius locum habens
in his regionibus, desiderium autem habens a
multis annis veniendi ad vos; - But now having no more place in these
parts, and having a great desire these many years
to come unto you; - Si quando in Hispaniam proficiscar,
veniam ad vos:^458 spero enim fore ut istac iter - Whensoever I take my journey into Spain,
I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my
journey, and to be brought on my wayfaciens videam vos, et illuc a vobis deducar, si
tamen prius ex parte vestra consuetudine fuero
expletus.
thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled
with your company
22.And on this account, etc. What he had said of his apostleship he applies now to another
point, even for the purpose of excusing himself for not having come to them, though he was destined
for them as well as for others. He, in passing, then intimates, that in propagating the gospel from
Judea as far as to Illyricum, he performed, as it were, a certain course enjoined him by the Lord;
which being accomplished, he purposed not to neglect them. And lest they should yet think that
they had been neglected, he removes this suspicion by testifying, that there had been for a long
time no want of desire. Hence, that he had not done this sooner was owing to a just impediment:
he now gives them a hope, as soon as his calling allowed him.
(^457) Isaiah 52:15. The quotation is literally from the Septuagint, and is nearly according to the Hebrew, only the tense is altered,
it being the past in that language, as prophecies are often found to be, in order to show their certainty. The Hebrew is as follows,
—
For what had not been told them, have they seen,
And what they had not heard, have they understood.
To render the last verb “consider,” as in our version, is not proper; it means to distinguish between things, to discern, to
understand. It bears strictly the same meaning with the Greek verb here used. — Ed.
(^458) This clause, and in the next, Griesbach dismisses as being spurious: then the verse would be, —
- “Whenever I go into Spain, I hope, in passing through, to see you, and to be by you sent there, when I shall first be in
a measure refreshed by you;” or, literally, “filled with you;” or it may be rendered, “satisfied with you.”
The Vulgate renders the words, “Si vobis primum ex parte fruitus fuero — when I shall first in part enjoy you, i.e., your
society. Stuart’s version is, “When I am in part first satisfied with your company.” The expression, “in part,” seems to imply
that his stay would not be long. — Ed.