Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 15:19

19. Through mighty signs and wonders , by the power of the spirit of God ; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum , I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ .

Or by the power of signes and wonders, which served to confirm my Commission from God, and the truth of what I Preached, and so helped forward the obedience and Conversion of the Gentiles, vid. 1 Cor. 12.12. If there be any difference betwixt Signs and Wonders, 'tis only gradual. I find them often conjoyned in Scripture, Mat. 24.24. Iohn 4.48. Act. 2.43. & 5.12. and 7.36. and 14.3.

Which blessed the Words, Deeds and Miracles of the Apostle, and wrought effectually by them in the Gentiles. The word, [non-Latin text not transcribed], Power or Vertue is twice used in this verse; it is first applyed to Signs and Wonders, to shew their Efficacy; and then to the Spirit of God, to shew that he was the efficient cause of that Efficacy.

This sheweth the pains and travel of the Apostle, to bring the Gentiles to the obedience of Faith. Illyricum is said to be in the utmost parts of Greece, bordering upon the Sea, which is thereupon called Illyricum Mare. It is thought to the be Country now called Sclavo[illegible: 3 letters], and that is distant from Ierusalem about 350 German Miles, which makes above a thousand English Miles; yet it seems he did not travel in a direct and strait line, but round about, or in a circle, as the word imports, fetching a circuit. Some Writers have given us out of the Acts, a particular History of his perigrination from Damascus, where he began his Ministry▪ he went into Arabia, and after three years returned to Damascus, and from thence to Ierusalem; from Ierusalem he went to Caesarea, and so to Tarsus; from Tarsus Barnabas brought him to Antioch, and from thence to Ierusalem to carry relief to the Iewes: From Ierusalem they returned to Antioch; from Antioch he and Barnabas went to Seleucia, then to Cyprus, and to some Cities of Pamphylia, and so to another Antioch in Pisidia: From thence to Lycaonia, and then returned to Antioch From whence they had been recommended by the Church. From Antioch they were sent to Ierusalem about the question of the Circumcision, and returned to Antioch with the Apostles Decree. From thence he went through Syria and Ciliciae visiting the Churches. Then he went through Phrygia, Galatia and Mysia; then to Troas, where by a Vision he was called unto Macedonia, and so came into the parts of Europe: First to Phillippi in Macedonia, then to Thessalonica; from thence to Athens, and then to Corinth; from thence to Ephesus: and going to visit the Churches of Galatia and Phrygia, returned to Ephesus: From Ephesus he went again to Macedonia, from thence to Treas and Miletions; and thence by Tyrus and Caesarea, and other Cities, he came to Ierusalem, where he was taken and put in bonds. Thus you have an account of the Apostles Travels which he abridgeth here, when he sayes, That it was from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum.

i. e. I have filled all these Countries with the Gospel of Christ. The word signifieth to fulfil, vid. Col. 4.8. This he calleth the finishing his Ministry, Acts 20.24.

Marginal references: Or, the power of signs and wonders.; Or, fulfilled.