Matthew Henry

For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

“This is a thing in which all the people of God are one, however they differ in other things; though some are weak and others are strong, yet both agree in this, not to live to themselves.”

It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”

“It is a prophecy, in general, of Christ's dominion; and here very fully applied to the judgment of the great day, which will be the highest and most illustrious exercise of that dominion.”

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

“Let all these differences be referred to the arbitration of Christ at the great day. (5.) Because the stress of Christianity is not to be laid upon these things, nor are they at all essential to religion, either on the one side or on the…”

Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

“(2.) Of guilt to our brother. The former is a stumbling-block, that gives our brother a great shake, and is a hindrance and discouragement to him; but this is an occasion to fall.”

I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

“This is the order of nature, which order is broken if the understanding (though misguided) tell us that such a thing is a sin, and yet we will do it.”

If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

“While thou destroyest thy brother thou art helping forward the devil's design, for he is the great destroyer; and, as much as in thee lies, thou art crossing the design of Christ, for he is the great Saviour, and dost not only offend thy brother…”

If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

“Charity to the souls of our brethren is the best charity. True love would make us tender of their peace and purity, and beget a regard to their consciences as well as to our own.”

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

“The kingdom of God is not meat, &c. Observe here, [1.] The nature of true Christianity, what it is: it is here called, The kingdom of God; it is a religion intended to rule us, a kingdom: it stands in a true and hearty subjection…”

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.

“This is to be extended to all such indifferent things whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, is involved either in sin or in trouble: or is made weak --his graces weakened, his comforts weakened, his resolutions weakened.”

Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

“Though men condemn us, it is well enough if our own hearts condemn us not, 1 John iii. Another rule here prescribed is to those who are clear in these matters, and know their Christian liberty, yet to take heed of using it so as…”

But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.

“Taking it in general, it is the same with that of the apostle ( Heb. xi. 6 ), Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

“The closer the stones lie, and the better they are squared to fit one another, the stronger is the building. Now observe the reason why Christians must please one another: For even Christ pleased not himself.”

so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Those that agree in Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, and the great centre of unity, may well afford to agree among themselves.”

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.

“Those words, to the glory of God, may refer both to Christ's receiving us, which is our pattern, and to our receiving one another, which is our practice according to that pattern. Christ hath received us to the glory of God.”

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

“Understanding by the promises made to the fathers the whole covenant of grace, darkly administered under the Old Testament, and brought to a clearer light now under the gospel, it was Christ's great errand to confirm that covenant, Dan. ix.”

so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”

“Christ, in and by his apostles and ministers, whom he sent to disciple all nations, did confess to God among the Gentiles. The exaltation of Christ, as well as the conversion of sinners, is set forth by the praising of God.”

so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”

“Those that were Lo-ammi--not a people, were Lo-ruhama--not obtaining mercy, Hos. i. The greatest mercy of God to any people is the receiving of them into covenant with himself: and it is good to take notice of God's mercy in receiving us. [2.]”

Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”

“This is quoted from that song of Moses, Deut. xxxii. Observe, Those who were incorporated among his people are said to rejoice with his people. No greater joy can come to any people than the coming of the gospel among them in power.”

And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.”

“This is quoted out of that short psalm, Ps. cxvii. Converting grace sets people a praising God, furnishes with the richest matter for praise, and gives a heart to it.”

And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”

“Faith is the soul's confidence in Christ and dependence on him. The prophet has it, to him shall the Gentiles seek.”

However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me

“He did it as the apostle of the Gentiles. It was in pursuance of his office: Because of the grace (that is, the apostleship, ch. i. 5 ) given to me of God, to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,”

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God…

“And it is an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Paul preached to them, and dealt with them; but that which made them sacrifices to God was their sanctification; and this was not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost.”

In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

“And commonly the greatest success of the gospel is at its first coming to a place; afterwards people become sermon-proof. The great and wonderful success that he had in his work: It was effectual to make the Gentiles obedient.”

Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

“This is quoted out of Ps. lxix. 9 , the former part of which verse is applied to Christ ( John ii.”

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

“He gives a very good character of her. (1.) As a sister to Paul: Phebe our sister; not in nature, but in grace; not in affinity or consanguinity, but in pure Christianity: his own sister in the faith of Christ, loving Paul, and beloved of…”