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Selected Verse: Romans 15:20 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ro 15:20 |
King James |
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| Yea, &c.--rather, "Yet making it my study (compare Co2 5:9; Th1 4:11, Greek) so to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation: but (might act) as it is written, To whom no tidings of Him came, they shall see," &c. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Yea, so have I strived - The word used here φιλοτιμούμενον philotimoumenon means properly "to be ambitious, to be studious of honor;" and then to "desire" earnestly. In that sense it is used here. He earnestly desired; he made it a point for which he struggled, to penetrate into regions which had not heard the gospel.
Not where Christ was named - Where the gospel had not been before preached.
Lest I should build ... - That is, he desired to found churches himself; he regarded himself as particularly called to this. Others might be called to edify the church, but he regarded it as his function to make known the name of the Saviour where it was not before known. This work was particularly adapted to the ardor, zeal, energy, and bravery of such a man as Paul. Every man has his proper gift; and there are some particularly suited to "found" and establish churches; others to edify and comfort them; compare Co2 10:13-16. The apostle chose the higher honor, involving most danger and responsibility; but still any office in building up the church is honorable. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Have I strived (φιλοτιμούμενον)
The verb means originally to be fond of honor, and hence, from a love of honor, to strive, be ambitious. Compare Co2 5:9; Th1 4:11. The correct sense is to prosecute as a point of honor.
Foundation (θεμέλιον)
See on settle, Pe1 5:10. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| 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 the gospel 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 |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| So have I strived to preach the Gospel - Οὑτω δε φιλοτιμουμενον· For I have considered it my honor to preach the Gospel where that Gospel was before unknown. This is the proper import of the word φιλοτιμεισθαι; from φιλος, a friend, and τιμη, honor. As I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, so I esteem it an honor to preach it, and especially to proclaim it among the heathen; not building on another man's foundation - not watering what another apostle had planted; but cheerfully exposing myself to all kinds of dangers and hardships, in order to found new Churches. |
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.