2. There can be no greater contradiction and absurdity than for one who lives in sin to claim to be a Christian, v. 2.
3. Antinomianism is not only an error, it is a falsehood and a slander. It pronounces valid the very objection against the gospel which Paul pronounces a contradiction and absurdity, and which he evidently regards as a fatal objection, were it well founded, vs. 2, 3, 4, &c.
4. Baptism includes a profession of the religion taught by him in whose name we are baptized, and an obligation to obey his laws, vs. 3, 4.
5. The grand design of Christianity is the destruction of sin. When sincerely embraced, therefore, it is with a view to this end, v. 3.
6. The source of the believer's holiness is his union with Christ, by which his reconciliation to God, and his participation of the influences of the Holy Spirit, are secured, vs. 4, 6.
7. The fact that Christ lives is sufficient security that his people shall live in holiness here, and in glory hereafter, v. 8.
8. The only proper evidence that we are the partakers of the benefits of the death and life of Christ, is our dying to sin and living to God, v. 11, and the whole section.
9. The gospel, which teaches the only true method of justification, is the only system which can secure the sanctification of men. This is not only the doctrine of this section, but it is the leading truth of this and the following chapter.
1. As the most prominent doctrinal truth of this passage is, that the death of Christ secures the destruction of sin wherever it secures its par- don, so the most obvious practical inference is, that it is vain to hope for the latter benefit, unless we labour for the full attainment of the former, vs. 2 — 11.
2. For a professing Christian to live in sin, is not only to give posi- tive evidence that he is not a real Christian, but it is to misrepresent and slander the gospel of the grace of God, to the dishonour of religion and the injury of the souls of men, vs. 2 — 11.
3. Instead of holiness being in order to pardon, pardon is in order to holiness. This is the mystery of evangelical morals, v. 4, &c.
4. The only eifectual method of gaining the victory over our sins, is to live in communion with Jesus Christ; to regard his death as securing the pardon of sin, as restoring us to the divine favour, and as procuring for us the influences of the Holy Spirit. It is those who thus look to Christ, not only for pardon but holiness, that are successful in subduing sin ; while the legalist remains its slave, rs. 6, 8.
5. It is a consolation to the believer to know that, if he has the evi- dence of being now a Christian, he may be sure that he shall live with Christ. As long and as surely as the head lives, so long and so surely must all the members live, v. 8, &c.