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Theodoret of Cyrus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 1,374 passages across 50 books

Commentary

1,281–1,300 of 1,374
Romans 14:10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Paul addresses these words to the Jews.

INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

Romans 14:16

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Paul is saying that he praises their faith but does not want it to become the cause of cursing and damnation.

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Romans 15:3

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Remember the words of Christ’s prayer concerning his passion: “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.”

INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

Romans 15:5

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Paul adds “in accord with Christ Jesus” in order to show that he is not praying for them to live in unbounded harmony but rather in a godly consensus.

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Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

When Paul says “as far round as Illyricum,” he means that he got to Illyricum in a roundabout way, via the eastern provinces, the Black Sea region, Asia Minor and Thrace.

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Romans 15:26

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

When St. Barnabas and St. Paul took on the task of preaching to the Gentiles, they made an agreement with Peter, James and John, promising them that they would encourage Gentile believers to come to the aid of believers in Judea. Paul mentions this in his epistle to the Galatians: “When they perceived the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do.”

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Romans 15:32

That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Paul has no desire to do the right thing apart from God’s will.

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Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Paul called God the “God of peace” here for a reason, because he was concerned about those at Rome who were battling one another or at least who were suspicious of one another. He wanted them to be at peace with each other because of the controversy which they were having over the observance of the law.

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Romans 16:1

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Cenchreae is a village outside Corinth. It is interesting to note how quickly the gospel was spreading, in that it had already reached the villages. In fact the church at Cenchreae was so large that it even had a woman deaconess, and one who was famous and well known to boot.

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Romans 16:2

That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

It is probable that Phoebe helped Paul by offering him hospitality in her house at Corinth for the short time that he was there. In return Paul opened the whole world to her, and throughout the Mediterranean she became a famous woman.

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Romans 16:3

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Paul adds “in Christ Jesus” to show that Prisca (or Priscilla; both forms are found in the manuscripts) and Aquila were not merely Paul’s hosts but that they were fellow evangelists as well.

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Romans 16:5

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Evidently Prisca and Aquila had preached the gospel to their servants and converted them to the Lord. St. Luke mentions them [in Acts 18:24-28] and shows how they led Apollos to the truth.

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Romans 16:6

Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

Yet another woman who is praised because of her labors.

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Romans 16:7

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Yet more praises. These people were companions of Paul in his sufferings and even shared imprisonment with him. Hence he says that they are men and women of note, not among the pupils but among the teachers, and not among the ordinary teachers but among the apostles. He even praises them for having been Christians before him.

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Romans 16:8

Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

This is no small praise, for Paul says that he is “beloved in the Lord,” because he behaved uprightly and honestly.

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Romans 16:9

Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

Paul praises Urbanus more highly than Stachys, because Urbanus had helped him in his preaching and in his struggles.

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Romans 16:10

Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

Paul bears witness to the great virtue of Apelles; there was nothing corrupt in him.

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Romans 16:11

Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

Paul seems to be implying that there were others in the family of Narcissus who did not yet believe.

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Romans 16:12

Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

Once more, praise for work which has been done. This presumably refers to hospitality, or fasting, or some other good work of that kind.

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Romans 16:13

Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

The mother of Rufus by nature had become Paul’s mother by grace.

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