Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
Romans Chapter 15
Infirmities (ἀσθενήματα)
Only here in the New Testament.
Of the circumcision
Of those circumcised. See on the election, Rom 11:7.
It is written
The citations are from Psa 18:50, compare Sa2 22:50; Deu 32:43; Psa 117:1; Isa 11:10.
Confess
Rev., give praise. See on Rom 14:11.
Sing (ψαλῶ)
See on Jam 5:13.
Rejoice (εὐφράνθητε)
Frequently in the New Testament of merry-making. Luk 12:19; Luk 15:23, Luk 15:24. See on fared sumptuously, Luk 16:19.
Root
See on Nazarene, Mat 2:23. Root is a sprout from the root.
He that shall rise to reign
Rev., that ariseth to reign. Literally from the Septuagint. Ariseth to reign is a paraphrase of the Hebrew stands as banner. Bengel says: "There is a pleasant contrast: the root is in the lowest place, the banner rises highest, so as to be seen even by the remotest nations."
Shall - hope
So Septuagint, which is a free rendering of the Hebrew seek or resort to.
Here the Epilogue of the Epistle begins. Bengel says: "As one street often leads men, leaving a large city, through several gates, so the conclusion of this Epistle is manifold."
Goodness (ἀγαθωσύνης)
See on Rom 3:12.
To admonish (νουθετεῖν)
See on Act 20:31.
I have written (ἔγραψα)
Rev., I write. The epistolary aorist. See on Jo1 2:13.
The more boldly (τολμηρότερον)
Not too boldly, but the more boldly because you are full of goodness.
In some sort (ἀπὸ μέρους)
See on Rom 11:25. Rev., in some measure, qualifying I write, and referring to some passage in which he had spoken with especial plainness; as Rom 6:12, Rom 6:19; Rom 8:9; Rom 11:17; Rom 14:3, Rom 14:4, Rom 14:10, Rom 14:13, Rom 14:15, Rom 14:20, etc.
Minister (λειτουργὸν)
See on Rom 13:6.
Ministering (ἱερουργοῦντα)
Only here in the New Testament. Lit., ministering as a priest.
Offering up (προσφορὰ)
Lit., the bringing to, i.e., to the altar. Compare doeth service, Joh 16:2.
Whereof I may glory (τὴν καύχησιν)
Rather, as Rev., my glorying, denoting the act. The ground of glorying would be καύχημα as in Rom 4:2; Gal 6:4, etc.
Those things which pertain to God (τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν)
A technical phrase in Jewish liturgical language to denote the functions of worship (Heb 2:17; Heb 5:1). According with the sacerdotal ideas of the previous verse.
Signs - wonders
See on Mat 11:20.
Round about (κύκλῳ)
Not, in a circuitous track to Illyricum, but Jerusalem and the regions round it. For the phrase, see Mar 3:34; Mar 6:6, Mar 6:36; Luk 9:12; Rev 4:6. For the facts, Acts 13, 19.
Illyricum
Lying between Italy, Germany, Macedonia, and Thrace, bounded by the Adriatic and the Danube. The usual Greek name was Illyris. The name Illyria occurs in both Greek and Latin. Though the shore was full of fine harbors and the coast-land fertile, Greek civilization never spread on the coast. Dyrrachium or Epidamnus was almost the only Greek colony, and its history for centuries was a continuous conflict with the barbarous nations. In the time of the Roman Empire the name spread over all the surrounding districts. In the division between the Eastern and Western Empire it was divided into Illyris Barbara, annexed to the Western Empires and Illyris Graeca, to the Eastern, including, Greece, Epirus, and Macedonia. The name gradually disappeared, and the country was divided between the states of Bosnia, Croatia, Servia, Rascia, and Dalmatia. No mention of a visit of Paul occurs in the Acts. It may have taken place in the journey mentioned Act 20:1-3.
Fully preached (πεπληρωκέναι)
Lit., fulfilled Some explain, have given the Gospel its fall development so that it has reached every quarter.
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.
I have been hindered (ἐνεκοπτόμην)
Imperfect tense, denoting continuousness, and implying a succession of hindrances. Rev., was hindered. Hence these many times.
Place (τόπον)
Scope, opportunity. So of Esau, Heb 12:17. Compare Rom 12:19; Eph 4:27.
Many (ἱκανῶν)
See on worthy, Luk 7:6. The primary meaning is sufficient, and hence comes to be applied to number and quantity; many, enough, as Mar 10:46; Luk 8:32; Act 9:23, etc. So, long, of time (Act 8:11; Act 27:9). Worthy, i.e., sufficient for an honor or a place (Mar 1:7; Luk 7:6; Co1 15:9). Adequate (Co2 2:16; Co2 3:5). Qualified (Ti2 2:2). Here the sense might be expressed by for years enough.
Spain
The usual Greek name is Iberia. Paul adopts a modification of the Roman name, Hispania.
In my journey (διαπορευόμενος)
Lit., journeying through, or as I pass through.
To be brought on my way (προπεμφθῆναι)
Escorted. See on Act 15:3.
Filled (ἐμπλησθῶ)
Lit., filled full: satiated. Compare Act 14:17; Luk 1:53. Rev., satisfied.
Contribution (κοινωνίαν)
See on fellowship, Act 2:42.
Poor saints (πτωχοὺς τῶν ἁγίων)
More literally, and better, the poor of the saints. Rev., among the saints. All the saints were not poor.
To minister (λειτουργῆσαι)
See on Rom 13:6. By using this word for priestly service, Paul puts the ministry of almsgiving on the footing of a sacrificial service. It expresses the worship of giving.
Sealed - this fruit
Secured to them the product of the contribution. See on Joh 3:33; see on Rev 22:10.
Gospel
Omit, and read blessing of Christ.
Strive together (συναγωνίσασθαι)
The simple verb is used of contending in the games, and implies strenuous effort. Here earnest prayer.
Them that do not believe (τῶν ἀπειθούντων)
See on Rom 10:21. Better, Rev., them that are disobedient.
With you be refreshed (συναναπαύσωμαι ὑμῖν)
See on give rest, Mat 11:28.