The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 226

in worldly alfoirs the useful virtue of prudence emerges, and men deny themselves now in order to make provision for the coming y,iars, 'The same principle is applicable in religion, Those who believe themselves destined to a future and immortal existence are capable of looking forward to the life to come, and of allowing that life to exerci!le upon their minds a mighty influence, so that their present attitude of spirit is larcrely governed and controlled by their expectations of the future. It is, indeed, far fiom being the highest of motives that influences men, if they do good to avoid future misery and secure future happiness. For religion consists in the love of trnth and right for their own sake, as supremely desirable, in the love of God as supremely excellent. Yet, as the text shows, Christianity holds out the prospect of immortal happiness as fitted to cheer and encourage the pilgrims of the night amidst the difficul- ties and darkness of time. I. THIS IS A OALOULATION wmcH IS NOT INTENDED TO DISPARAGE THE ~ " l ' SUFFERINGS OF CHRISTIA.NB. Paul does not mean to ""'Y the sufferings to be endured here are in themselves inconsiderable. For the fact is otherwise; every man, and much more every Christian, has much to bear. "They that will live godly must suffer persecution." In some cases, the amount of opposition and calumny and neglect involved in fidelity to the tSaviour is far from trifling. But the apostle means to affirm that so vast is the recompense, so exceeding and eternal the weight of glory hereafter, that even the direst persecution, the fiercest conflict,. the keenest self-denial, are all extinguished in the lustre, the blaze, of heavenly day. II. Tms IS A OALCULATION BASED UPON THE REVELATIONS OF SCRIPTURE. Reason unaided could never have arrived at this resnlt. For one of the members of the comparison is beyond the range of reason. We know by experience the sufferings of the present; but only Divine foresight can acquaint us with the glory of the future. It is granted that in the present condition of Christians is nothing which can justify an expectation so glowing. The star is in its station in the heavens, although hidden beneath a cloud; when the sky is cleared, the star shines out in its brilliancy. So, for the present, our life is "hid with Christ in God;" and "we know not what we shall be." Our capacities and circumstances do not allow of our comprehension of a state which only the glorified nature can take in. The coming glory is spiritual, consists in closer fellowship with the Saviour and in perfect harmony with God himself. "When Christ, who is our Life, shall appear, we also shall appear with him in glory." This is the prospect of the sons of God, the joint-heirs with Christ, the partakers of their Lord's character and spirit. It is the prospect of an endless blessedness; for its eternity is part of its Divine perfection, Nothing less than a glory which never wanes is worthy of the Giver, or satisfying to the recipient. The quality and the immortality of the glory of heaven, when taken together, manifestly outweigh all the privations, the contlicts, tho temptations, in a word, the "much tribulation" through which we must; enter into the kingdom of heaven. III. THIS IS A CALCULATION WHIOH GOVERNED THE Al'OSTLE's PEBSO:!-AL LIFE. Observe that he says, "I reckon." It was his own deliberately reached conclusion. He had adopted this opinion long ago, and he retained it still. Other.wise he would not have continued to lead the life of a Christian and an apostle. His choice had brought him much outward suffering and adversity. From the first, he had been exposed to persecution from Jews and Gentiles; he had endured many hardships and dangers in his missionary life; he hnd suffered the loss of all things. His choice had occasioned him much spiritual conflict. The strife between the old nature and the new, the anxiety ho felt ns to his own fidelity, the buffetings of Sat.an he encounttired,- all these were sufferings strictly consequent upon his union with Christ. Yet it is clear that Paul did not repent his choice. Even to the end he " counted all things &S loss, that he might win Christ, nnd be found in him, ... for the e:s:cellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord." Ho had present consolations, very precious and sustaining; for he was supported by the grace which ever proved sufficient for him, and, knowing whom he trusted, he wns persuaded that he was able to keep that which ,v-~ committed unto him R"ninst thnt dny. And whon the u1ercy aud fuvour of tho present wore nddod to tho glorious prospects of I\ heavenly inheritance, how could tho sufToriugs of lifo bo allowed to couutorbnlnnoe privileges so precious and ho1>c~ :;u bright?  '1'RE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO 'l'l:lE ROMANS. [ou, vm. 1---89.