The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 175

Vers. 1-11.-Buried and risen with <Jhrist. Att.aching to almost all privileges and blessings there are da.ngerous possibilities of abuse. So with the blessed doctrine of justification by faith, which bas been so largely dwelt on hitherto. So especially with that aspect of it just referred to (eh. v. 20). How readily the question might spring to the lip, " Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? " But how readily, from every Christian heart, would spring the response, " God forbid I How shall we?" This answer amplified in the following verses: 'l'he relation of the believer, through the death and resurrection of Christ, to sin and holiness. I. THE DEATH. 1. The relation of the death of <Jhrist to sin. Two elements entering into the atoning work or Christ, each of which, in its bearings, mn:,'t be distinguished from the other-the Divine, and the human. (1) .A.s to guilt. The guilt of the race an accomplished fact; the stain ineffaceable ; the white purity of the infinite Law blotted. What are the bearings of Christ's atonement, divinely and humanly, on this guilt of the past? (a) Divinely: condemnation for ever; (b) huma.nly: expiation for ever. (2) As to sin. An existent, a persistent fact; a. possibility always; a strong power of evil. What are the bearings of Christ's atone- ment on this sin of the present? (a) Divinely: stamp of condemnation; the. thing which has brought guilt that must be expiated by death, is by that very dear.h a branded thing; (b) humanly : renunciation and conflict ; the thing which is branded, in the atonement, on the part of God, is forsworn on the part of man. 2. Our relatio-" through the death of Christ to sin. A natural identification of Christ with us, as federal Hend of the race; and a spiritual-this latter of voluntary, sympathetic oneness. So a corresponding identification of ourselves with Christ: natural and spiritual. This latter, by faith; the spiritual analogue corm:ponding with the historical fact, or, in other words, our voluntary spiritual sympathy with Christ's own work. (1) As to guilt. (a) Acquiescence in the condemnation: every mouth stopped; (b) acquiescence in the expiation: for me I (2) As to sin. (a) A thing condemned of God: so we regard it henceforth, as bearing a stigma of evil; (b) a thing forsworn by us : so we regard it henceforth ; perpeturu. war. 'l'herefore our faith in Christ not merely gives us pardon and peace with God, but commits us to a stern and uncom- promising battle with all that is opposed to God. "Yo see your calling, brethren I " Your very baptism is your pledge to wnge such warfare. II. 'l'BE LIFE. 1. Tllo relation of the life qf Christ to God. 'l'wo elements entering into the resurrection-life or Christ: mised by God, raised ns Man. (1) As to fawur with God. (a) Diviuely: the nccoptcd sacrifico; "through the glory of the Father; n (b) humanly: from darkness into light; "Ought not Christ to have suffered th~se 17'2 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THF, ROMANS. [ott, vt.1-28.