Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin
Commentary on Romans
And that he might recommend to us an agreement in Christ, he teaches us how necessary it is: for God is not truly glorified by us, unless the hearts of all agree in giving him praise, and their tongues also join in harmony. There is then no reason for any to boast that he will give glory to God after his own manner; for the unity of his servants is so much esteemed by God, that he will not have his glory sounded forth amidst discords and contentions. This one thought ought to be sufficient to check the wanton rage for contention and quarreling, which at this day too much possesses the minds of many.
Romans 15:7-12
Romans 15:7-12
7. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
7. Itaque suscipite vos mutuo, quemadmodum Christus vos suscepit, in gloriam Dei.
8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
8. Dico autem Iesum Christum ministerium fuisse circumcisionis super veritate Dei ad promissiones Patrum confirmandas:
9. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
9. Gentes autem pro misericordia glorificare debent Deum; quemadmodum scriptum est, Propter hoc confitebor tibi inter Gentes et nomini tuo psallam:
10. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 10. Et rursum dicit, Exultate Gentes cum populo ejus; 11. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 11. Et rursum, Laudate Dominum omnes Gentes, et collaudate eum omnes populi.
12. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
12. Et rursum Iesaias dicit, Erit radix Jesse, et qui exurget ad imperandum Gentibus; in ipso Gentes sperabunt.
7. Receive ye then, etc. He returns to exhortation; and to strengthen this he still retains the example of Christ. For he, having received, not one or two of us, but all together, has thus connected us, so that we ought to cherish one another, if we would indeed continue in his bosom. Only thus then shall we confirm our calling, that is, if we separate not ourselves from those whom the Lord has bound together.
The words, to the glory of God, may be applied to us only, or to Christ, or to him and us together: of the last I mostly approve, and according to this import, here, in these places, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1,46; Acts 4:24; Acts 5:12; Acts 7:57; Acts 8:6; Acts 12:20; Acts 15:25; Acts 18:12; Acts 19:29. It is used by the Septuagint for {,{יחדwhich means "together." It is rendered "unanimiter — unanimously," Beza; "with one mind," by Doddridge; and "unanimously," by Macknight. It is thus paraphrased by Grotius, "with a mind full of mutual love, free from contempt, free from hatred." — Ed.