Romans, Chapter 15, verses 17-29
15 Paul excuseth his writing, 18 and promiseth to see themMatthew, Chapter 12, verses 46-50
38 He rebuketh the unfaithful who seek after a sign, 49 and showeth who is his brother, sister and motherMatthew, Chapter 13, verses 1-3
3 The parable of the sower and the seed12
12:46 His brethren - His kinsmen: they were the sons of Mary, the wife of Cleopas, or Alpheus, his mother's sister; and came now seeking to take him, as one beside himself, Mar 3:21. Mar 3:31; Luk 8:19.
12:48 And he answering, said - Our Lord's knowing why they came, sufficiently justifies his seeming disregard of them.
12:49 See the highest severity, and the highest goodness!Severity to his natural, goodness to his spiritual relations!In a manner disclaiming the former, who opposed the will of his heavenly Father, and owning the latter, who obeyed it.
12:50 See note ... Mat 12:49.
13
13:2 He went into the vessel - Which constantly waited upon him, while he was on the sea coast.
13:3 In parables - The word is here taken in its proper sense, for apt similes or comparisons. This way of speaking, extremely common in the eastern countries, drew and fixed the attention of many, and occasioned the truths delivered to sink the deeper into humble and serious hearers. At the same time, by an awful mixture of justice and mercy, it hid them from the proud and careless. In this chapter our Lord delivers seven parables; directing thefour former (as being of general concern) to all the people; the three latter to his disciples. Behold the sower - How exquisitely proper is this parable to bean introduction to all the rest! In this our Lord answers a very obvious and a very important question. The same sower, Christ, and the same preachers sent by him, always sow the same seed: why has it not always the same effect? He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!
15
15:17 I have whereof to glory through Jesus Christ - All my glorying is in and through him.
15:18 By word - By the power of the Spirit.By deed - Namely, through "mighty signs and wonders."
15:20 Not where Christ had been named - These places he generally declined, though not altogether, having an holy ambition (so the Greek word means) to make the first proclamation of thegospel in places where it was quite unheard of, in spite of all the difficulty and dangers that attended it. Lest I should only build upon another man's foundation - The providence of God seemed in a special manner, generally, to prevent this, though not entirely, lest the enemies of the apostle, who sought every occasion to set light by him, should have had room to say that he was behind other apostles, not being sufficient for planting of churches himself, but only for preaching where others had been already; or that he declined the more difficult part of the ministry
15:21 Isa 52:15.
15:22 Therefore I have been long hindered from coming to you - Among whom Christ had been named.
15:23 Having no longer place in these parts - Where Christ has now been preached in every city.
15:24 Into Spain - Where the gospel had not yet been preached.If first I may be somewhat satisfied with your company - How remarkable is the modesty with which he speaks! They might rather desire to be satisfied with his. Somewhat satisfied - Intimating the shortness of his stay; or, perhaps, thatChrist alone can throughly satisfy the soul.
15:26 The poor of the saints that are in Jerusalem - It can by no means be inferred from this expression, that the community of goods among the Christians was then ceased. All that can be gathered from it is, that in this time of extreme dearth, Act 11:28-29, some of the church in Jerusalem were in want;the rest being barely able to subsist themselves, but not to supply the necessities of their brethren.
15:27 It hath pleased them; and they are their debtors - That is, they are bound to it, in justice as well as mercy. Spiritual things - By the preaching of the gospel. Carnal things - Things needful for the body.
15:28 When I have sealed to them this fruit - When I have safely delivered to them, as under seal, this fruit of their brethren's love. I will go by you into Spain - Such was his design; but it does not appear that Paul went into Spain.There are often holy purposes in the minds of good men, which are overruled by the providence of God so as never to take effect. And yet they are precious in the sight of God.