Romans, Chapter 16, verses 17-24
17 and adviseth them to take heed of those which cause dissension and offences, 21 and after sundry salutations endeth with praise and thanks to GodMatthew, Chapter 13, verses 10-23
3 The parable of the sower and the seed, 18 the exposition of it13
13:11 To you, who have, it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven - The deep things which flesh and blood cannot reveal, pertaining to the inward, present kingdom of heaven.But to them who have not, it is not given - Therefore speak I in parables, that ye may understand, while they do not understand.
13:12 Whosoever hath - That is, improves what he hath, uses the grace given according to the design of the giver; to him shall be given - More and more, in proportion to that improvement. But whosoeverhath not - Improves it not, from him shall be taken even what he hath - Here is the grand rule of God's dealing with the children of men: a rule fixed as the pillars of heaven. This is the key to all his providential dispensations; as will appear to men and angels in that day. Mat 25:29; Mar 4:25; Luk 8:18; Luk 19:26.
13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing, they see not - In pursuance of this general rule, I do not give more knowledge to this people, be. cause they use not that which they have already: having all the means of seeing, hearing, and understanding, they use none of them: they do not effectually see, or hear, or understand any thing.
13:14 Hearing ye will hear, but in nowise understand - That is, Ye will surely hear. All possible means will be given you: yet they will profit you nothing; because your heart is sensual, stupid, and insensible; your spiritual senses are shut up; yea, you have closed your eyes against the light; as being unwilling to understand the things of God, and afraid, not desirous that he should heal you. Isa 6:9; Joh 12:40; Act 28:26.
13:16 But blessed are your eyes - For you both see and understand.You know how to prize the light which is given you. Luk 10:23.
13:19 When any one heareth the word, and considereth it not - The first and most general cause of unfruitfulness. The wicked one cometh - Either inwardly; filling the mind with thoughts of other things; or by his agent. Such are all they that introduce other subjects, when men should be considering what they have heard.
13:20 The seed sown on stony places, therefore sprang up soon, because it did not sink deep, Mat 13:5.He receiveth it with joy - Perhaps with transport, with ecstacy: struck with the beauty of truth, and drawn by the preventing grace of God.
13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself - No deep work of grace: no change in the ground of his heart. Nay, he has no deep conviction; and without this, good desires soon wither away.He is offended - He finds a thousand plausible pretences for leaving so narrow and rugged a way.
13:22 He that received the seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word and considereth it - In spite of Satan and his agents: yea, hath root in himself is deeply convinced, and in a great measure inwardly changed; so that he will not draw back, even when tribulation or persecution ariseth. And yet even in him, together with the good seed, the thorns spring up, Mat 13:7. (perhaps unperceived at first) till they gradually chokeit, destroy all its life and power, and it becometh unfruitful. Cares are thorns to the poor: wealth to the rich; the desireof other things to all. The deceitfulness of riches - Deceitful indeed! for they smile, and betray: kiss, and smite into hell.They put out the eyes, harden the heart, steal away all the life of God; fill the soul with pride, anger, love of the world; make men enemies to the whole cross of Christ! And all the while are eagerly desired, and vehemently pursued, even by those who believe there is a God!
13:23 Some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty - That is, in various proportions; some abundantly more than others.
16
16:17 Mark them who cause divisions - Such there were, therefore, at Rome also. Avoid them - Avoid all unnecessary intercourse with them.
16:18 By good words - Concerning themselves, making great promises. And fair speeches - Concerning you, praising and flattering you. The harmless - Who, doing no ill themselves, are not upon their guard against them that do.
16:19 But I would have you - Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good - As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil - As ignorant of this as possible.
16:20 And the God of peace - The Author and Lover of it, giving a blessing to your discretion. Shall bruise Satan under your feet - Shall defeat all the artifices of that sower of tares, and unite you more and more together in love.
16:21 Timotheus my fellowlabourer - Here he is named even before St. Paul's kinsmen. But as he had never been at Rome, he is not named in the beginning of the epistle.
16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you - Tertius, who wrote what the apostle dictated, inserted this, either by St.Paul's exhortation or ready permission. Caius - The Corinthian, Co1 1:14. My host, and of the whole church - Who probably met for some time in his house.
16:23 The chamberlain of the city - Of Corinth.