The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 53

Savfour and the sinner he would save. The words may not be audible 1\8 those addro..«sl'd t-0 Paul, but they are heard within and responded to. Like Abraham and like &ul of Tanru.s, we must listen to the call to come out and follow Jesus, if we ate t<' e>e Christians indeed. 4.. Thei'.r privilege is t°M enjoyment of God's love, their dtd¥, the proctitt ef holtfl&S. "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.' This is what we mean by Church-membership; it is, when real, an experience of Divine love, and a practice of holiness. And, indeed, we have here the whole plan of salvation, God's love comes forth first to us, and then we walk in holineRs as hie gmteful people, It has been said somewhere by M. La Harpe that the doctrines of Christianity may be summed up in the words, "God has loved us," and its morals in the words, '' Let us love God." 1 Of course, God loves all men with the love of pity, and in consequence he sent his Son int-0 the world to save us (John iii. 16); but when we respond to his love, he proceeds to la"Vish on us a particular love-a love of complacency and of delight (John xi:v. 21). These Christians at Rome were, therefore, the objects of this special lo'"l; and thev manifested the benefit in holy lives. 5. Paul pronounces upon them 11 benedidicn. Now, when we analyze it, we find that "grace" is the favour of God, undeserved, and coming down in the shape of pardon. " Peace" is the precious effect produced in the heart which receives the grace. The Source from whom this benediction oomes down is "God our Father," nnd the Medium of communication is" Jesus Christ." In pronouncing this benediction, the apostle desires that they should have the supply of the grace a.s they daily need it. The idea. entertained by some, that we receive in con"Version all the pardon we shall ever need, is refuted by this benediction pronounced ewer the Roman "saints." The following practical lessons SiJXely suggest themselves : (1) .A risen and lifliflg Saviour has entered upon the government of the world. Paul's conversion a.nd apostleship, the conversion of these Roman Christians, the conversion @f men and women still, all go to prove this. We have not in Christianity a dead man's legacy, like Buddhism or Confucianism, or Islamism, but a living Saviour's wondrous work. (2) Its magnificent ambition is to bring all nations to the obedience of faith. ·It aims at world-wide empire; nothing less will content it. (3) Our sympathy should enlarge iu.elf aumdingly. Paul did not restrict himself to Churches in the Orient, but in sympathy he embraced the Occident as well Rome had claims upon him just as well as Corinth and Antioch. Let us be la.rge-hea.rted too. (4) Dai1y grace can alone BU&tain us ift. this sympathy. The closer we keep to the "throne of grace," the wider will our sympathies extend. There is wondrous power in waiting upon God. The work for him will best advance when we have waited on him for his grace and peace.-R. :M. E. Vere. S-17.-The policy to be pursued in case Paul came to Rome. We tried to appreciate in our la.et homily the character of the Ohurch to which Paul directed this Epistle. We now pass to the policy he meant to pursue should he ever reach Rome; and which he embodies also in this Epistle. One or two prelimina.ryma.tters, however, will prepare us for the climax in the pa.ra.,uraph before us. And- • • ' L PAt:'L LIFTS THE VEIL .U"D SHOWS HIMSELF AT HlB PB.AYERS. It is a case Qf intercession. How noble and broad the views contracted at the throne of grace I The apostle becomes a statesman as he lies before the Lord. 1. He gives thanks for the wm-'ld-7ui<k reputation ef the Roman Ohurch. "First I thank my God through Jesus Chrut for you all, that your faith is spoken of[' proclaimed,' Revised Version] through- out the whole world." Rome, as the metropolis, had many ways of communication with its provinces, and the Church at Rome had all the advantages of provincial publicity. In this Paul rejoiced before God. It led to much discll88ion of the new faith on the part of many who would not otherwise have heard of it. Believers ar'e consequently to be witnesses; t~e world will sooner or later hear of th~ir exi,stenc~, 2. He prQe'T•U uaeek,s interceuwn /or the Roman Ohurch, that he may himself DB .sent on a ,,,-.iaswn u, it. "For God is my Witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of bis Son," etc. (vers. 9-12). Now, this intercession is not only ceaseless, b~t self-denying. Oftentimes interceasion simply commits others to the ea.re of the great Father, without involving us in any personal misHion. It is different when it cori- temI>la.t.es such a 1,erlifmal inconvenience and sacrifiCP, as a journey to !tome implied to 1 CL 1rioD.1tll'11 ' Religion of B<i<lemptio11,' p. 2f7, ou, 1, 1-32,] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 47