Romans 12:19 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Avenge not yourselves— The emperor Claudius, by his decree, banished all Jews from Rome, Acts 18:2. Upon this occasion Aquila and Priscilla removed to Corinth, where St. Paul found them, and dwelt with them a considerable time. No doubt they gave him a full account of the state of the Christian church at Rome, and every thing relating to the late persecution under Claudius. That emperor's edict died with him in about two years time. Then the Jews and Christians [if the Christians were expelled] returned again to Rome; for Aquila and Priscilla were there, when St. Paul wrote this Epistle, (ch. Romans 16:3.), which was about the fourth year of Nero, successor to Claudius. Hence it appears more than probable, that the Apostle, in this and the following verses, has his eye upon the indignities and injuries done to the Christian Jews, if not to the Christians in general, in the forementioned persecution. See Benson's "First Planting of the Christian Religion," vol. 2: p. 106 and Eccl 19: 17.