English · KJV

Diodorus of Tarsus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 133 passages across 2 books

Commentary

121–133 of 133
Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

“Prophecy” means primarily the explanation of things which are unclear, whether future or past, whether present or hidden. “Prophecy” may also refer to the interpretation of a prophet’s words.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:8

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Exhortation” means the type of sermon in which we call those who are still in ignorance to faith in Christ. We do not at that point lay out the full meaning of the Christian life but give them the hope that if they believe in Christ they will enjoy everlasting blessings.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:13

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

The point here is that we should honor the saints and take care of their needs until they no longer have them.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Paul uses the word wrath to describe God’s punishment, not because it is some kind of passion in God but because men would find it difficult to understand God’s judgment if they did not hear it compared to wrath. For since men respond to those who sin against them in wrath and anger, Scripture uses the same words to describe God’s reaction, because then the average person can hear and understand it.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:20

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Paul is not suggesting that we do anything wicked; on the contrary, he is wisely and cleverly checking and containing the violence of the one who is angry.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The book of Proverbs teaches us that kings do not come to rule apart from the dispensation and will of God: “Through me kings reign and princes decree justice.”

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Those who disobey the king have committed a crime and will face judgment.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 13:11

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

When we realized what the advantages of good works are, the message of salvation became easier to understand than it was when we first believed. For when we believed in Christ we did not immediately acquire an exact understanding of what we should be doing, nor was it clear to us what we should stop doing and what we should continue doing.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 13:12

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

The “day” is the time of this life which remains to us, in which we can do good works. The “night” is the future, in which it will no longer be possible to work. Then we shall lie in the darkness, having lost the chance to do good works.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

This means that we should imitate Christ in what we do and show him to others in the way we behave.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 14:4

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

A servant of Christ is anyone whom Christ has accepted. He is then no longer under the law. Who are you, therefore, to judge someone by the law when he is a stranger to it?

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

This means that nothing is common or unclean when eaten with faith in Christ.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 15:20

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Paul was not trying to avoid the other apostles, but he thought it was wrong and unfair to steal the credit for what someone else had done.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

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