The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 298

HOMILETICS. , er. 1.-Solicitude and supplieatwn for the salva,tion of sinners. Paul was himself a Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. His first ministry was to Israelites, and, when upon his missionary tours, he made it his :first business to address the frequenttirs of the synagogues. By his training and by his associations, and also by his evangelistic intercourse with his countrymen, he understood the Jewish mind, and how to deal "ith it. From the Jews he met with obstacles, opposition, and persecution; and he could not be blind to their fsnlts and errors. This, however, did not prompt him to anger or to neglect; he loved his nation, and felt the claim of kindred and nationality. He laboured, spoke, wrote, and prayed for his Jewish kin; he sought above all things their salvation. Looking away from the special reference, let us consider the words of the apostle as supplying an example of the benevolent spirit of Christianity. L WE KUST BE AWARE THAT TREBE IS A WIDESPREAD NEED OF SALVATION, Many of onr neighbours need saving from debasing vice and unjustifiable, inexcusable crime; many have fallen into dangerous errors, from which they need to be delivered ; many need to be awakened from the densest ignorance and carelessness with regard to spiritual realities. Some are sensible of their need ; mnltitudes are utterly indifferent to it. Go to a hospit.a.l, and you will see many and varied forms of disease, accident, privation, affecting men's bodily state-all want healing. So is it with sinful society: salvation, and nothing les.s than salvation, is the world's great want. IL WE KNOW THAT THERE IB SALVATION FOB THOSE WHO NEED IT. As Christians, we are asrured that our Redeemer is a mighty, all-sufficient Saviour; we believe that he came that the world should be saved through him; we have been authoritatively told that he is " the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world;" that God is "the Saviour of all men, specially of those who believe." Further, we have ourselves experienced the grace and power of Jesus to pardon, purify, and bless; and what he has done for us he can do for others. The offers and promises of his gospel are free and valid. He saves to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. Ill. CHElsTI.L"ul SHOULD BE ANXIOUS AND PBAYEBFUL ON BEHALJ!' OJ!' SINNERS THAT mEY KAY BE SAVED. In this the apostle is an example to all who have themselves t.asted and seen that the Lord is good. 1. It should be our heart's "good plea.sure" (for SllCh is the lit.eral rendering). A benevolent mind, in sympathy with the Saviour, who pitied, wept over, expostulated with sinners, will find pleasure in witnessing the power of the gospel to rescue and to save the lost. 2. Supplication should be offered with a view to the same end. We know that such prayer is acceptable; for Christ has said, "It is not the pleasure of my Father that one of these should perish." Supplication should not be selfish; it should be intercessory and benevolent, IV. ClraISTLUlS SHOULD UBE THE APPOINTED MEANS FOB THE SALVATION OF THEm FELLOW-MEN. Sympathy and prayer, una.ccompanied by effort, would be a mockery. Certainly, Paul was not the man to grieve over his erring countrymen, and at the same time to neglect endeavours for their recovery. Some of us may preach the gospel, other& may "send" the preachers, others may invite their neighbours to hear the goapel ; sympathy and prayer will lead to some form of practical effort. .&PPLlcATWll. L Whilst others are concerned for your salvation, are you seeking this salvation for yovself? 2. Are you manifesting practically solicitude for the 1piritnal good of your neighbonr11 and fellow-men? Ven1. 2--4..-Falae rightwu,nu, a,nd tnM. Paul's desire for the salvation of his countrymen and kinsmen ar01e from his clear perception of their spiritual destitution and need. They might hide their condition from themselves, but it was clear enough to him. The measure of true light which they enjoyed made it the sad(lor that m1:1ny of t.hem refuaed &() a,ogept and to walk in the full light of the Sun of Righteousness, on. x. 1-21.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 297