Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 2:4

4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance, and long-suffering , not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance .

The word signifies to think amiss; he despiseth the goodness of God, who thinks otherwise of it, than he should, that it is extended to him for other ends than it is; or to despise the Goodness of God, is, to turn it into wantonness.

i. e. The abundance of his Goodness, vid. Eph. 1.7.18. and 2.4.5. and 3.8. Chap. 9.23.

God's long-Suffering is a farther degree of his Forbearance; the Scripture speaks much of this Attribute of God, and of his abounding therein, Exod. 34.6. Numb. 14.11.18. Psal: 86.15. Mat. 23.37. Chap. 9.22. 1 Tim. 1.16. 1 Pet. 3.20.

That is one great End of God's goodness and forbearance, vid. Hos. 11.4. 2 Pet. 3.9. God's goodness is abused, when 'tis not us'd and improv'd to this End.

Here he Taxeth such as thought that God approved of their Persons and Courses, at least He would not regard or punish their evil Actions, because he had hitherto forborn them, and heap'd up abundance of worldly Blessings upon them, as He did upon the Romans, especially above other People. It is common for Men to grow secure, and promise themselves Impunity, when God forbears them, and gives them outward Prosperity, vid. Psal. 50.21. and 55.19. Eccl. 8.11. Hos. 12.8.

Marginal references: 2 Pet. 3.[illegible: 1 letter]; Isa. 30.1[illegible: 1 letter]