The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 46

a pleasure-loving age, To this touchstone we must bring our Church ene1a.gements and our individual pla.ns of living. Let congregations rightly value the r':i.i;istration of llpiritua.l things. We may not suppose the apostle to care most about miraculous endowments, gifta of healing, and of tongues, but rather a growth in <rrace and in the knowledge of Ohrlst, and in love, the pre-eminent attainment. ni parents always convey to their children the impression that they set greater store by their prmrreSB in the Divine life than by their success at the bar or in the senate, in the exchang; or the fashionable world? Note the apostle's desire to =firm the faith of these Christians. To esta.blish them, not to unsettle their opinions and practices, was his intent. It iB no light matter wantonly to disturb men's convictions and tear them away from their old beliefs. "Men" are not to be "carried a.bout by every wind of doctrine," but to feel their feet firm upon the unchanging rock. The Greek word in the text reminds us that "stereotyping" is good when we are dealing with the first principles of Christianity. The frequently shifted plant grows with difficulty. There is a. hint here that oral, would be more effective than written communicatwn,. In spite of recent assertions, pulpit and platform speech holds its own as the engine that moves the masses. Even "the weighty and powerful letters" of the apostle could not equal the effect of his R°rsonal presence. Only enemies would term the latter "weak and contemptible." The Scriptures depict the coming advent of (Jhrist a.s giving a mighty impetus to the perfection and triumph of his Church. He "shall appear in his glory," and " build up Zion." III. A MEETING ENABLES ALL TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COlDIO~ GOOD. The apostle looked forward to a mutual benefit. He was not so self-opinionated or proud as to imagine none could enlighten him or comfort him. Ministers need the consolation of their flock. Recall the inspiriting exhortation of the Israelites to Joshua., "Only be thou strong and of a good courage: the Lord be with thee," etc. (Josh. i.17, 18). Nor was the apostle so selfish as to wish to get all and to give nothing. CJhristia.n (Jhurclles are designed to be Mutual Improvement Societies. Some only inquire-What good will such a gathering do us? forgetting that their remarks or their attendance even may stimulate their brethren and a.id in the success of the meeting. It cheers the weak and supports the wavering to witness the steadfast confidence of the strong. The faith spoken of implies visibility in order to its full effect. Secret disciples unconnected with any organization miss much comfort and work through their isolation. Come, join our Church ranks I . Christians a.re like the stones of an arch, strengthened in position by their joint presence and pressure. Bunyan beautifully portrays this mu'tua.l comforting in Christian and Hopeful a.s they ford the river of death. What a testimony to the work of any man that his presence helps, not mars, the piety of his friends I Let not "brethren cause the heart of the people to melt" I (Josh. xiv. S). We are responsible for the influence we exert.-S. R. A. Ver. 16.-Glorying in the gospel. For many reasons the apostle might be supposed ashamed to preach the gospel at Rome. He had been long delayed from fulfilling his purpose to visit that city. The "good news" centred in the mission of a Jew, belonging to a race despised by their masterful conquerors. The story of the cross could not fail to excite ridicule wheu the Romans heard that this Messiah had O.."t'n njected by his own countrymen, and handed over to an ignominious death, and that his disciples seriously believed that he had risen again from the dead. A kingdom founded on humility and love would seem e. fanatical dream. Nor could the preachers point to many of the upper classes who had imbibed this new" superstition." Yet the apostle wavered not; he felt tho.t the gospel could bear strictest scrutiny and comparison, l\nd that it contained e. moral force worthy of recognition even by the most slavish worshippers of power. He gloried in the gospel- I. As OVERCOMmG HEN WITH MORE THAN HUllAN MIGHT. The desire of power is innl\te in the breast, and an exhibition of it is eagerly witnessed. The aposth1 had the intense conviction of tM power of the cross, which arose from its IDI\Stery over himself o.nd the ohan~os he had seen it effect in his conver~ everywhere, As the magicians snid of old, "This is the finger of God," and as the Samaritl\lls said of the sorcerer, "This m1m is the great power of God," so the apostle still more logicnlly discerned in the pea.co of mind, the spiritual liberty nnd gladness, the lofty llSpirations lllld ren<lwaJ f() THE EPISTLE OF PAUL ro THE ROMANS. [os. L 1---