Catholic liturgical translation

1My »silní« jsme povinni snášet slabosti těch, kdo »silní« nejsou, a nemít zalíbení sami v sobě. 2Každý z nás ať si hledí získat oblibu u bližního k jeho dobru a prospěchu. 3Vždyť ani Kristus neměl zalíbení sám v sobě. Je přece psáno: 'Potupy těch, kdo tě tupili, padly na mne.' 4Všechno, co kdysi bylo napsáno, bylo napsáno k našemu poučení, abychom z Písma čerpali vytrvalost a povzbuzení, a tak měli naději. 5Bůh, zdroj vytrvalosti a povzbuzení, kéž vám dá, abyste v souladu stejně smýšleli podle vůle Krista Ježíše. 6Tak budete moci svorně a jedněmi ústy oslavovat Boha, Otce našeho Pána Ježíše Krista. 7Přijímejte proto jeden druhého do svého společenství, jako i Kristus přijal vás - k oslavě Boží. 8Tím chci totiž říci: Kristus se stal služebníkem židů, aby se prokázalo, že Bůh je věrný, aby tím byla stvrzena zaslíbení daná praotcům; 9ale také proto, aby pohané oslavovali Boha, že jim prokázal milosrdenství, jak je psáno: 'Proto tě budu velebit mezi pohany, tvému jménu budu zpívat chválu.' 10Dále je řečeno: 'Pohané, radujte se s jeho lidem!' 11A zase: 'Chvalte Pána, všichni pohané, oslavujte ho, všechny národy.' 12A opět říká Izaiáš: 'Vypučí výhonek z Jesseova kořene, vystoupí a bude vládnout nad národy. Pohané v něj budou skládat naději.' 13A Bůh, dárce naděje, ať vás naplní samou radostí i pokojem ve víře, abyste prospívali v naději s mocnou pomocí Ducha svatého. Pavel se omlouvá a nastiňuje program příštích cest 14Já sám jsem o vás přesvědčen, moji bratři, že i vy máte plno dobré vůle naplněni poznáním všeho druhu, takže jste docela dobře schopni jeden druhého napomenout. 15Přece však jsem vám psal trochu směleji, abych vám některé věci připamatoval, a to pro milost, která mi byla dána od Boha: 16abych byl služebníkem Krista Ježíše mezi pohany. Kážu proto Boží evangelium, jako bych konal posvátný úkon, aby se tak pohané stali milou obětí, posvěcenou od Ducha svatého. 17Mám se tedy čím chlubit skrze Ježíše Krista v tom, co se týká Božího díla. 18Neodvážím se mluvit o ničem jiném než o tom, co Kristus skrze mne vykonal, aby byli pohané přivedeni k ochotnému přijetí víry, slovem i skutkem, 19silou znamení a zázraků, konaných mocí Božího Ducha. Tak jsem dovršil kázání Kristova evangelia od Jeruzaléma a v širém okruhu až po Ilýrii. 20Snažím se totiž o to a kladu si za čest, že nekážu evangelium tam, kde jméno Kristovo je už známo. Nechci stavět na cizích základech, 21neboť stojí v Písmu: 'Ti, kdo o něm nebyli poučeni, uvidí, ti, kdo o něm neslyšeli, porozumějí.' 22Proto také jsem byl znova a znova zdržován od cesty k vám. 23Ale teď už v těchto krajinách nenacházím pro sebe žádné pole působnosti. Mnoho let však nosím v sobě touhu přijít k vám, 24třeba až se vydám do Španělska. A tak doufám, že se na té cestě s vámi uvidím. Trochu se s vámi chci napřed potěšit a pak mě vypravíte na cestu tam. 25Ale teď ještě musím vykonat cestu do Jeruzaléma ve službě pro křesťany. 26Makedonie a Achaja se totiž rozhodly, že uspořádají sbírku pro chudé křesťany v Jeruzalémě. 27Ano, tak se rozhodly, protože sami jsou jejich dlužníky. Pohanům se přece dostalo účasti v jejich duchovních darech; proto zase mají povinnost, aby jim pomohli v dobrech pozemských. 28Až tedy tu záležitost vyřídím a tu sbírku jim poctivě odevzdám, vydám se do Španělska a cestou se zastavím u vás. 29A vím, že až k vám přijdu, přijdu s plnou mírou Kristova požehnání. 30Ale prosím vás, bratři, pro našeho Pána Ježíše Krista a pro lásku Ducha, abyste při mně stáli tím, že se za mne budete modlit usilovně k Bohu, 31abych byl ochráněn před nevěřícími židy v Judsku a aby křesťané v Jeruzalémě dobře přijali tuto mou službu. 32Potom - když to Bůh bude chtít - budu k vám moci s radostí přijít a mezi vámi pookřát. 33Bůh, dárce pokoje, buď s vámi se všemi! Amen.


Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary
 1   Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.

 8   Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God. Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. All joy and peace; all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

 14   The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can never be pleasing to the holy God. The conversion of souls pertains unto God; therefore it is the matter of Paul's glorying, not the things of the flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not make one soul obedient, further than the Spirit of God accompanied his labours. He principally sought the good of those that sat in darkness. Whatever good we do, it is Christ who does it by us.

 22   The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is pleasing to God, before visits and compliments, which may please us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the conversion of souls. Christian society is a heaven upon earth, an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ at the great day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our communion with Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The apostle was going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of charity. God loves a cheerful giver. Every thing that passes between Christians should be a proof and instance of the union they have in Jesus Christ. The Gentiles received the gospel of salvation from the Jews; therefore were bound to minister to them in what was needed for the body. Concerning what he expected from them he speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from God he speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to have the gospel with the fulness of its blessings! What wonderful and happy effects does it produce, when attended with the power of the Spirit!

 30   Let us learn to value the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous. How careful should we be, lest we forfeit our interest in the love and prayers of God's praying people! If we have experienced the Spirit's love, let us not be wanting in this office of kindness for others. Those that would prevail in prayer, must strive in prayer. Those who beg the prayers of others, must not neglect to pray for themselves. And though Christ knows our state and wants perfectly, he will know them from us. As God must be sought, for restraining the ill-will of our enemies, so also for preserving and increasing the good-will of our friends. All our joy depends upon the will of God. Let us be earnest in prayer with and for each other, that for Christ's sake, and by the love of the Holy Spirit, great blessings may come upon the souls of Christians, and the labours of ministers.