PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans
Hodge, Charles, 1797–1878 · 193,921 words · 491 reading sections
ROMANS 7: 14—25. 175
The law in my members brings me into captivity to the law of sin ; that is, to itself. The form of expression is rather unusual, although the sense appears sufficiently plain from the context. There does not seem to be any adequate reason for making a distinction between " the law in the members" and " the law of sin ;…
588 wordsSECTION 242176 ROMANS 7: 14—25.
Tupt in man, his unsanctified nature ; the former must mean here, as in V. 23, that nature as renewed. In every believer, and in no one else, there are these two principles, grace and sin, the flesh and spirit, the law in the members and the law in the mind ; these are contrary the one to the other. ' / myself,'' says …
188 wordsSECTION 243DOCTRINES.
1. No man is perfectly holy in this life, at least the apostle was not, according to his own confession, when he wrote this account of his expe- rience. That Paul throughout the latter part of this chapter is describing his own feelings when writing, appears evident from the following consi- derations. a. Because he u…
361 wordsSECTION 244ROMANS 7: 14—25. 177
the mind, so as to bring us into captivity to the law of sin. If therefore the one passage is descriptive of the experience of the true Christian, so must also the other be. e. The context requires this interpretation. The apostle has been in- sisting on the necessity of our being free from the law in order to our jus…
532 wordsSECTION 245178 ROMANS 7 : 14—25.
1. As the believer's life is a constant conflict, those who do not struggle against sin, and endeavour to subdue it, are not true Christians, vs. 14—25. 2. The person here described hates sin, v. 15 ; acknowledges and de- lights in the spirituality of the divine law, vs. 16, 22 ; he considers his corruption a dreadful…
299 wordsSECTION 246CONTENTS.
Paul had not^ finished his exhibition of the plan of salvation. He had shown that we are justified gratuitously, that is, by faith in Jesus Christ, without the works of the law. He had proved that, so far from this free- dom from the law leading to the indulgence of sin, it is necessary to our sanctification, because t…
132 wordsSECTION 247ROMANS 8: 1—11. 179
As, however, there is always warmth of feeling in the apostle's argu- ment, so also is there generally logical arrangement in his highest Iri nmphs. His theme here is the security of believers. The salvation of those who have renounced the law and accepted the gracious offers of the gos- pel is shown to be absolutely …
391 wordsSECTION 248CHAP. 8: 1—11.
^There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ^Por the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ^For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own So…
169 wordsSECTION 249180 ROMANS 8: 1—11.
in the flesh cannot please God. ^But ye are not in the flesh, hut in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ^°And if Christ he in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ^^But if the Spirit…
101 wordsSECTION 250ANALYSIS.
This section contains the development of the first two of the apostle's arguments in favour of the position that those who are in Christ Jesus shall never be condemned. The immediate reason is assigned in the second verse, they are delivered from the law. For in view of the insufii- ciency of the law, God sent forth hi…
241 wordsSECTION 251COMMENTARY.
(1) There is, therefore^ now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. It is a matter of considerable importance to the under- standing of this chapter, to decide what is its precise relation to the pre- ceding part of the epistle. The word therefore indicates that what fol- lows is an inference : but from wha…
207 wordsSECTION 252ROMANS 8: 1—11. 181
all that Paul has yet said. There is, therefore, now, i. e. under these circumstances, viz. the circumstances set forth in the previous part of the epistle. To he in Christ Jesus signifies to be intimately united to him, in the way in which the Scriptures teach us this union is effected, viz. by having his Spirit dwel…
580 wordsSECTION 253182 ROMANS 8: 1—11.
fore, is, ' There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, because they have been freed by the gospel from that law which, al- though in itself good, is still the cause of sin and death.' This latter interpretation, which is perfectly consistent with the usage of the words, is better suited to the context t…
605 wordsSECTION 254ROMANS 8: 1—11. 183
This latter is to be preferred, for the original words are frequently so used, both in the Old and New Testament. The full phrase is a sacrifice fot sin. See precisely these words in Heb. 10 : 6. Lev. 6 : 25. Num. 8 : 8. Ps. 40 : 6. This sense, too, is best suited to what follows. Condemned sin in the flesh. The phras…
574 wordsSECTION 255.84 ROMANS 8: 1—11.
expresses this object, must mean we are justified, rather than that we are sanctified. 3. The latter part of the verse would, in the other case, be superfluous. Why should it be said that the law is obeyed by those who obey the law, that is, who walk after the Spirit? This verse, therefore, expresses nearly the same id…
572 wordsSECTION 256ROMANS 8: 1—11. 185
attended with happiness, and the exercise of evil ones with misery. To be entirely sinful, therefore, is to be entirely miserable. (7) The ground of this assertion is, that God is the end and portion of the soul. To be separated from him is, therefore, to be separated from all that is suited to its nature and capacity…
592 wordsSECTION 257.86 ROMANS 8: 1—11.
of God cannot, with any regard to the usage of scriptural language, be explained here as meaning pious feelings, metonymically called Spii-it, because produced by his agency. The expression and context alike show that it must be understood of the Holy Ghost. God is said to dwell wherever he constantly manifests his pre…
599 wordsSECTION 258ROMANS 8: 1—11. 187
do not admit of being understood figuratively. The meaning, according to the common interpretation, is natural and consistent with the apostle's object. j?%e body, indeed, is dead, i. e. must die, is obnoxious to death, notwithstanding the indwelling of the life-giving Spirit, on account of sin* Sin is the cause of all…
573 wordsSECTION 259188 ROMANS 8: 1—11.
sense in either case is good. According to the former, the meaaing is, that the resurrection of believers will be effected by the power of the Spirit of God ; and according to the latter, that the indwelling of his Spirit is the ground or reason why the bodies of believers should not be left in the grave. The internal …
217 wordsSECTION 260DOCTRINES.
1 . As the former part of this chapter is an inference from the previous discussion, and presents a summary of the great truths already taught, we find here united the leading doctrines of the first portion of the epis- tle. For example, justification is by faith, v. 1 ; believers are not under the law, V. 2; the law i…
332 wordsSECTION 261ROMANS 8: 1—11. 189
nexion between sin and misery, holiness and happiness, necessary and immutable, v. 6. 9. All unrenewed men, that is, all " who are in the flesh," are at once the enemies of God and the objects of his displeasure. Their habitual and characteristic state of mind, that state which every man has who is not " in the Spirit…
514 wordsSECTION 262190 ROMANS 8: 12—28.
9. The great distinction of a true Christian is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Hence his dignity, holiness, and happiness, vs. 9—11. 10. If the Spirit of God dwells in the Christian, how careful should he be lest any thing in his thoughts or feelings should be offensive to this divine guest ! 11. Christians are b…
84 wordsSECTION 263CHAP. 8: 12—28.
^^Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ^^For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die ; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ^'^For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. *^For ye have not received the spirit…
442 wordsSECTION 264ROMANS 8 : 12—28. 191
trials ; so that every thing eventually works together for their good, vs 18—28. Paul had just shown that believers were distinguished by the indwell ing of the Spirit. Hence he infers the obligation to live according tc the Spirit, and to mortify the deeds of the body, v. 12. If they did this they should live, v. 13.…
399 wordsSECTION 265COMMENTARY.
C12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live after the flesh. We have here an example of what the rhetoricians call meiosis, where less is said than is intended. So far from being debtors to the flesh, the very reverse is the case. This passage is an inference from the exhibition of the nature and…
125 wordsSECTION 266192 ROMANS 8: 12—28.
sentiment of v. 6. To live after the flesh is death ; to live after the Spirit is life. For if ye live after the fleshy ye shall die ; but if ye through the Spi" "-it, &c. The necessity of holiness, therefore, is absolute. No matter what professions we may make, or what hopes we may indulg'e, justifi- cation or the man…
597 wordsSECTION 267ROMANS 8: 12—28. 193
Gal. 3 : 8, seq. John I : 12. 1 John 3:2," Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be," &c. The term may indeed express any one of the various relations in which children stand to their parents, as derived from them, dependent on them, &c. &c. The above, however, are the most commo…
571 wordsSECTION 268194 ROMANS 8: 12—28.
5 : 5, " The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us," &c. Beareih luitness with our spirit, that is, ' beareth witness, together with our own filial feelings, to our spirit.' Or, simply, * assures our spirit.' Beareth witness to, means confirms or assures. * The Spirit of God pro- duc…
607 wordsSECTION 269ROMANS 8: 12—28. 195
himself, and take up his cross and follow we," Matt. 16 : 24 ; " If we be dead with him^ we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Azm," 2 Tim. 2 : 11, 12. (18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not wor- thy to he compared^ &c. * If children, then heirs, for I do not t…
582 wordsSECTION 270196 ROMANS 8: 12—28.
tion was not voluntary, but imposed by God. 3. That it was never designed to be final. The creature is subject to vanity. As remarked above (ch. 1 : 21), vanity and wickedness are very nearly associated ideas in the Scripture; vain or foolish being often synonymous with cm-rupt or wicked. Vanity^ therefore, is interch…
555 wordsSECTION 271ROMANS 8: 12—28. 197
consummation of the work of redemption. Tiiis word often is used for the whole of the results of the work of Christ as far as his people are concerned, (See v. 18.) The creature then is to be a partaker in some way, according to its nature, of the glories in reserve for the sons of God. (22) For Vie know that the whol…
576 wordsSECTION 272198 ROMANS 8: 12—28.
recognised as the children of God, i. e. for the time when our vile bodies shall be fashioned like unto the glorious body of the Son of God.' This is the period towards which all eyes and all hearts have been directed among those who have had the first-fruits of the Spirit since the fall of Adam ; and for which the who…
538 wordsSECTION 273ROMANS 8: 12—28. 199
For we are saved hy hope. At the close of the preceding verse Paul had spoken of believers as " waiting for the adoption.'''' They thus wait, because salvation is not a present good, but a future one. We are saved in hope, i. e. in prospect. The dative, in which form the word for hope here occurs, does not in this case…
614 wordsSECTION 274200 ROMANS 8: 12—28.
to us our supplications,' &c. The necessity for this aid arises from 3ur ignorance, we know not what to pray for. We cannot tell what is really best for us. Heathen philosophers gave this as a reason why men ought not to pray ! How miserable their condition when compared to ours. Instead of our ignorance putting a seal…
604 wordsSECTION 275ROMANS 8: 12—28. 201
is expressly distinguished from our souls. The interpretation, therefore, which makes " the mind of the Spirif^ mean the desires of our spirit^ though it would give a very good sense, is irreconcilable with the con- text. Because he raaketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. This is the reason w…
558 wordsSECTION 276202 ROMANS 8 : 12—28.
according to the merits of men, but according to the divine purpose. »' Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our w^orks, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Tim. 1 : 9. Eph. 1 : 11. Rom. 9:11. The design of the apost…
158 wordsSECTION 277DOCTRINES.
1. True Christians are the sons of God, objects of his affection, par- takers of his moral nature, and heirs of his kingdom, v. 14. 2. The relation of God to us is necessarily the counterpart of ours to him. If we feel as friends to him, he feels as a friend towards us ; if our sentiments are filial, his are parental,…
362 wordsSECTION 278ROMANS 8: 12—28. * 203
11. The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete (John 14: 16) or advocate, we are his clients, we know not how to plead our own cause, but he dictates to us what we ought to say. This office of the Spirit ought to be recog- nised, sought, and gratefully acknowledged, v. 26. 12. Prayer to be acceptable must be according to the wi…
497 wordsSECTION 279204 ROMANS 8: 29—39.
believing resignation and joyful expectation of the promises are pecu liarly pleasing in the sight of God and honourable to religion, vs. 24, 25 10. How wonderful the condescension of the Holy Spirit I How great his kindness in teaching us, as a parent his children, how to pray and what to pray for ! How abundant the …
129 wordsSECTION 280CHAP. 8 : 29—39.
^^For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to he conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. ^"Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called : and whom he called, them he also justified : and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 3i\Vhat shall we then s…
254 wordsSECTION 281ANALYSIS.
This section contains the exhibition of two additional arguments in favour of the safety of believers. The first of these is founded on tlie decree or purpose of God, vs. 29, 30 ; and the second, on his infinite and unchanging love, vs. 31 — 39. In his description of those with regard to whom all things shall work toge…
145 wordsSECTION 282ROMANS 8 : 29—39. 205
to give his Son for us, he will certainly save us, vs. 31, 32. This love has already secured our justification, and has made abundant provision for the supply of all our vrants, vs. 33, 34. The triumphant conclusion from all these arguments, that nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ, but that we shall be …
73 wordsSECTION 283COMMENTARY.
(29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate, he. The connexion of this verse with the preceding, and the force of for, appears from what has already been said. Believers are called in accordance with a settled plan and purpose of God, /or whom he calls he had previously predestinated : and as all the severa…
468 wordsSECTION 284206 ROMANS 8 : 29—39.
verily was fore-ordained (Gr. foreknotvn), i. e. Jixed upon, chosen before the foundation of the world," 1 Pet. 1 : 20. 2 Tim. 2 : 19. John 10 : 14, 15 ; see also Acts 2 : 23. 1 Pet. 1 : 2. The idea, therefore, obviously is, that those whom God peculiarly loved, and by thus loving distinguished or selected from the res…
588 wordsSECTION 285ROMANS 8: 29—39. 207
(30) Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called. Those whom he had thus fore-ordained to be conformed to the image of his Son in moral character, in suffering, and in future glory, he effectually calls, i. e. leads by the external invitation of the gospel, and by the efficacious operation of his grace, to …
593 wordsSECTION 286208 ROMANS 8 : 29—39.
salvation is fully secured. The conclusion of the chapter is a recapitula tion of all his former arguments, or rather the reduction of them to one which comprehends them all in their fullest force ; God is for us. He, as our Judge, is satisfied; as our Father, he loves us; as the supreme and almighty Controller of even…
598 wordsSECTION 287ROMANS 8: 29—39. 209
ous sorrow of children, and not the despairing- anguish of the convict ; because it sees that all the ends of punishment are fully answered in the death of Christ, who bore our sins in his own body on the tree. God^s elect, i. e. those whom God has chosen ; see v. 29. The word elect is sometimes used in a secondary se…
601 wordsSECTION 288210 ROMANS 8: 29—39.
hands. If this is the case, how great the security it affords the believer He who is engaged to effect his salvation is the director of all events and of all worlds. Who also TUQiketh intercession for us, i. e. who acts as our advocate, pleads our cause before God, presents those considerations which secure for us par…
550 wordsSECTION 289ROMANS 8 : 29—39. 211
previous verse of course implied that believers should be exposed to many afflictions, to famine, nakedness, and the sword ; this, Paul would Bay, is in accordance with the experience of the pious in all ages. We suffer, as it is recorded of the Old Testament saints that they suffered. (37) Nay^ in all these things we…
555 wordsSECTION 290212 ROMANS 8: 29—39.
4 : 9. Isa. 7:11," Ask it either in the depth or the height above," &c. &c. Nor any other creature. Although the preceding enumeration had been so minute, the apostle, as if to prevent despondency having the possibility of a foothold, adds this all-comprehending specification, no created thing shall be able to separate…
103 wordsSECTION 291DOCTRINES.
1. God chooses certain individuals and predestinates them to eternal life. The ground of this choice is his own sovereign pleasure ; the end to which the elect are predestinated is conformity to Jesus Christ in his moral character, and in his sufferings and glory, v. 29. 2. Those who are thus chosen shall certainly be…
303 wordsSECTION 292REMARKS.
1. The plan of redemption, while it leaves no room for despondency, affords no pretence for presumption. Those whom God loves he loves unchangeably ; but it is not on the ground of their peculiar excellence, nor can this love be extended towards those who live in sin, vs. 29 — 39. 2. As there is a beautiful harmony an…
93 wordsSECTION 293ROMANS 8: 29—39. 213
flowing from his election, without the humility which the consideration of its being gratuitous must produce ; nor can he have the peace of one who is justified, without the holiness of one who is called, vs. 29, 30. 3. As Christ is the first-born or head among many brethren, all true Christians must love him supremel…
381 wordsSECTION 294CHAPTER IX.
With the eighth chapter the discussion of the plan of salvation, and of its immediate consequences, was brought to a clqse. The considera- tion of the calling of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews, com- mences with the ninth, and extends to the end of the eleventh. Paul, in. the first place, shows that God may…
63 wordsSECTION 295214 ROMANS 9 : 1—5.
extend the blessings of the Messiah's reign to the Gentiles, 9 : 1 — 24 ; and, in the second, that he has already declared that such was his pur- pose, vs. 25 — 29. Agreeably to these prophetic declarations, the apos- tle announces that the Jews were cast off and the Gentiles called ; the former having refused submissi…
167 wordsSECTION 296CONTENTS.
In entering on the discussion of the question of the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles, the apostle assures his brethren that he was led to entertain this opinion from no want of affection or respect for them or their national privileges, vs. 1 — 5. That his doc- trine on this subject was true, he …
127 wordsSECTION 297CHAP. 9: 1—5.
*I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, ^that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ^For I cOuld wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: *vvho are Israelites ; to V7h.om pertaineth the adopt…
173 wordsSECTION 298COMMENTARY.
(1) J say the truth in Christ, I lie not, &c. There are three ways in which the words in Christ, or hy Christ, may here be understood. 1. They may be considered as part of the formula of an oath, / say the truth, by Christ. The preposition rendered in is so used in Matt. 5 : 34, &c. Rev. 10 : 6. But in these and simila…
518 wordsSECTION 299216 ROMANS 9: 1—5.
sincerity and strength of this sorrow for them he asserts in the strongest terms in the next verse. (3) For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, &c. The word anathema, which is used in this verse by the apostle, properly means something set up or consecrated, and is applied frequently to…
550 wordsSECTION 300ROMANS 9: 1—5. 217
of a theological kind. It is said to be inconsistent with the apostle's character to wish that he should be accursed from Christ. But to this it may be answered, 1. Paul does not say that he did deliberately and actually entertain such a wish. The expression is evidently hypothetical and conditional, ' I could wish, we…
566 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1851). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.