The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 44

""lu the weakn88S in strength thRt I crv for I my ftosh, that I seek In the GodhE811 I I seek mi I find it." Attention is directed t.o the Resurrection as a proof or the Deity or Ohrlst. The word "dead" is in the plunu, since Christ"& rising involves the rising of hls people, He ls thE' " Firstfruits " pre..qaging the harvest; where the "Head" is, there must the members bE'. Turo ~ in part~uar manifested in tAe RfJStJ,rrection. (1) Pottm" i viz. the mighty operation of God, who outshines the glory of his first creation in the wonders of the new. See the enthusiasm and boldness of the disciples after they realizod the m_eanin~ of that event, and the force ~nd possibilities opened up before them by:the tnumph1ng over death, and the authonty granted t.o their once-despised, now exalted ll.s;:ter. The bands of the grave were like "the green withes" of Samson when Christ awoke from his slumber. He "made a show of adverse principalities and powers," t.he eclipse of immortality by death but preluding a far more effulgent splendour. (2) Holiness. The penalty of at.onement was exhausted, or the Sin-bearer had ntiver appeared. 3c-"1lin with lustre out of the wilderness of death. Christ tabernacled in "flesh," but his "spirit" was not fleshly. The Holy One could not see corruption, any more than gold perishes in the fire. The resurrection of Christ was a great object- lesson, teaching the immutableness of all who, like the" Ever-living One" (Rev. i. 18), are consumed by the zeal of God's house. Whatever in us is consecrated, God himself will preserve from the fatal touch of time. The future resurrection sluill be the sealing tt:stirr.ony to the dignity of Chrust, When his voice shall wake the dead, and the last enemy shall have been utterly abolished, then, in the fulfilment of his own declaration and the consequent array of trophies to his marvellous grace, shall he be universally adored as the "strong Son of God, immortal Love." May each rejoice in the consciollB- ness of a personal relationship t.o this glorious gospel 1-S. R. A.. Ver. 7.-.An honor,rable clau. Describe Rome, and compare it with our modem cities. The metropolis of the world, with two millions of people in about sixteen square miles ; every trade, nationality, and religion represented there, The apostle knew the strategic importance of a Christian stronghold in Rome. What a mighty influence might radiate thence to every quarter of the globe I To energize the heart of the empire was to quicken with Christian life the whole world. L A SPECIAL CLASS SINGLED OUT. The "all" in Rome are restricted by the sub- sequent designa.tion.s. It is useless to ignore the New Testament line of distinction. Men are disti'flgUishm by their relationship to the gospel, not by their social standing or intellectual ability, but by their moral qualifications, as possessors of good hearts which have received the seed of the kingdom. To speak of Christiane is to mark them off from all besides, as a straight stick differentiates crooked ones. Would Christ send his messengers to our houses as to those "who are worthy" ? This distinction creates a bcmd of ur,iun. The snperficial diversities amongst the followers of Christ are merged in the one great feature of similarity. .All are "one" in Christ Jesus, whether they live in the East or the West End, in the great rooms of a palace or the attic of e. lodging-house. And in the primitive Church, as to-day, the uniting power of the gospel wa.s a striking proof of its Divine origin-that he who made the key to fit so many hearu was the same who first constructed those human wards. If Ohriet appeared tc,-day, it would be as when a magnet is introduced into a box of iron filings; the affinity of hi! people would be discovered by their instant attraction to him, and the closer they preesed to him the nearer they would draw to one anothor. Christianity is healthfni aocialism.. II. THEIB HAPPY OOliDITIOB'. "Beloved of God.., The Almighty is good to all his creatures ; he " is great, and despiseth not any; " his sunshine and rain benefit all indis- criminately. Jeaus weeping over Jerusalem exemplified God's infinite pity towards rebe!liuUA mbjf:Cte, 110JTowing over their distresses aud grieved at their sins. But the 1-'JVt: uf tl~ t.ezt iii that uf c<Ynpla«mcy, where God can rest in his love with satisfaction, rejoicing io the rentow•.:d nature and the evidences of reatored sonehip. Love must be 11tr01,gest and molli delightful when reciprocated by ite object, ae the mirror incrcasos light by reflection. It is cm CMW1M,Un(/ de,ignation ; for men need love as plants need sllDl!hioe and warmth. The loneliest heart may be cheered by tho assurance of Lhe Divwe paMinw &tfection. li ii an '1VMbUnv love. Many a man hu rben through ou, 1. 1-82,] THE EPISTLE OJ' PAUL TO 'l'RE BOHANB. 87