The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 170

ChriMian eociety, constrain him to frequent the means of religious instruction; yet his life ha!! not thereby become a new Jifo. The old nature is still there, 'l'he Ethiopian has not changed his skin, nor the leopard his spots. The man's true life lies in the bent of his thoughts, the affections of hie heart, the bias of his will; and whilst all these are toward evil, the old nature is supreme, and the new life is not yet. Love is the one only potentate at whose master-bidding old things will pass away. Before's Love's wizard wand alone, tha ancient shadows will depart from the gloomy cave of the unregenerated soul, and that cave will become a temple peopled with the forms of the holy, and echoing with the songs of heaven. Divine love can make the wilderness a paradise, can change each thorn into a flower, and all the thistles into fruits. When Love smites the rock, the spring of health and of refreshing will gush forth. He who hears Love's voice shall forget the weakness and the weariness of the pilgrimage; and his footst.ep, erst so heavy and so dull, shall bound elastic onwards. Ver. 14.-1?ie ~fronchisement by ~ The Law, by exhibiting the heinousness of sin and its awful consequences, was the occasion of the introduction of the gospel and of the nctories of God's grace. If, then, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds., some sophistical reasoner may propose to continue in sin. It is against this wret.ched argument that the apostle appeals in the language of the text. '' Sin •shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under law, but under grace." The very fact which was adduced by some as an excuse for sin is shown to be the chief reason for freedom from sin. L Sm HAS HAD, .U."D BAS, :MASTERY OVER :MEN, Sinners are under the rule and bondage of a tynmnical and wicked lord. 'l'urning away in a rebellious spirit from their rightfnl King and Ruler, they have submitted themselves to the usurper's sway. Sin takes possession of their affections, their judgment, and their will. Il. Ul!IDER TEE LA.w, MEN WERE COMMONLY AND HABITUALLY UNDER THE MASTERY OF SIN. By the Law, the apostle means chiefly the Jewish Law; yet not this exclusively; for it appears that the unwritten law generally is intended in the argument of the Epistle. 'l'hey were "under the Law" who lived under legal ordinances and sanctions, and who, in theory at all events, acknowledged its claim. Sin to them was transgression, and the motive for avoiding transgression was the fear of penalty to be inflicted by the Lawgiver end Judge. Now, it is urged that those tmder the Law were in very many cases the slaves of sin; for the Law entered that the offence might abound. History, sacred and profane, bears out these assertions. The stB.ndard of morality by which men judged themselves was low, and even to this they did not generally approiwh, much less attain. This was so with the Jews, and more conspicnowtly with the Gentiles. ill JT IB TBE EFFECT OF TEE DISPENSATION OF GRAOE TO BET :MEN FREE FROM '1'IIE llA.6TEBY oF sm. L What is it to be " under grace"? It is voluntarily and consciously to receive the free favour of God bestowed through Jesus Christ upon all who believe. It is to participate in the new and distinctively Christian righteousness. It iB in the exercise of faith to be brought into harmony with God's government and purposes. It is to come under the influence of a new, Divine, and powerful motive, furnished by the infinite love and clemency of God. 2. How does being "under grace" Bet and keep a man free from sin ? The apostle explains the process by employing three figures. According to the first, by baptism, the initiative act of faith and consecration, the Chrilltian is joined to his Saviour in his death upon the cross, ar,d, thW! being united to an almighty Saviour, must consequently rlee in the likeness of his resurrection to a new and holy life. Acoording to the second, the Christian, fol'l!ak.ing the service of sin, yields himself by faith to the service of Christ, and la therefore bound to fulfil the obligations which he has undertaken. The third figure repreaentl hie atate under the Law ae abolished by fa.Ith In Christ, just as a woman ie releaaed from her hW!band by his death; fidelity to Christ's service and law are o.s binding upon the Chri.Btlan as 1B fidelity to her second husband ~n ~he part o~ tho newly married woman. Duty and love combine to render the obhge.t10n to hohue~s ltringent and effective. IV. 'IBE POWER OF GB.ACE EXCEEDS THE POWER OF THE LAW. In explaining how ibis is we may obee"e: 1. 'l'he principles appealed to are hlgher; love and gratitudo OIL vr. 1-23.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 167