But I have written unto you the more boldly, brethren, in some measure (so, as in the Revised Version, or, in part ( ἀπὸ μέρονς), rather than in some sort, as in the Authorized Version. The allusion seems to be to the passages in the Epistle in which he has been bold to admonish urgently; such as Romans 11:17, seq.
; Romans 12:3; and especially Romans 14:1-23.), as putting yon in mind (reminding you only of what you doubtless know), because of the grace given me of God; i.e., as appears from what follows, of apostleship to the Gentries (cf.
Romans 1:5, Romans 1:14; also Acts 22:21: Galatians 2:9). Though the Church of Rome was not one of his own foundation, and he had no desire, there or elsewhere, to build on another man's foundation (Romans 14:20), yet his peculiar mission as apostle to the Gentiles gave him a claim to admonish them.
The reason thus given is, it will be observed, a confirmation of the view, otherwise apparent, that the Roman Church consisted principally of Gentile believers.