The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 373

in Obrist, and every one members one of another" (ver. 6). There we l,ave diversity. 'l'b~re is. room for di_versHy in Jhe Church of Christ-for valied forms of wor~hip, for varied views of doctrme, for varied methods of Church government. A dull unifr,rmity is undesirable. "Acts of Uniformity" only made more diversity, and produced disrhrd instead of unity. When the Church of England had no room for John Wesley, gh,:i only prepared the way for a larger secession from the ranks of her membership. &>, too, in individual coogregations, there is room for varied gifts and activities. TM-re, also, we have unity. "One body, and every one members one of another." There is the unity of the Spirit, the unity that arises from the common bond of faith in Christ and love to him, of obedience to the same Divine law, and of the inspiring hope of the same heaven. III. Two PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. A lesson of humi1ity. "For I say, tbrou"'h the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly" (ver. 3). The recognition of the fact that there are varied gifts in the Church of Christ will prevent any one from being unduly proud of any gifts he may possess, or any work he may have done. All the members of the body have need of one another. There is a place for the humble and unlearned workers in the Church of Christ,just as much as for the wealthy and the cultured and the learned. 2. A lesson of C-0'11,C81/,tratwn. Division of labour and con- centration of individuals upon particular branches is one of the great principles of modem manufacturing and commerce. St. Paul applies the same principle to Christian work. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let'us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let ns wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhor- tation; he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that rnleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." There are three special spheres of Christian work. (1) Teaching. Under this heo.d may be comprised what the apostle speaks of as "prophecy," "teaching," "exhortation." This is the work of ministers of the gospel, of professors in colleges, of teachers in daily schools and in Sunday schools. There could be no more important work than that of instructing others, moulding immortal souls, inspking old and young with the power of great principles. Wbeu Socrates was asked why he did not commit to writing his philosophic opinions and teachings, hli! answer was, "I write upon human souls. That writing will last eternally." How important that a.11 who engage in any department of teaching shoul,l realize the abiding consequences of their work, and should devote their best energies to it I (2) Ruling. There must of necessity be authority and discipline in the Christian Church. Impenitent offenders against Christian morality need to be excluded. Differences of opinion or quarrels between brethren need to be wisely considered, and breaches bee.led. How necessary that those who nre placed in positions of authority should rule "with diligence," realizing their high responsibility to preserve ihe peace and.maintain the purity of the Church of Christ! (3) Giving. Under this head may be included not only what is here called " giving," but also those branches spoken of e.s "ministering" and " showing mercy." Christians who are not teachers or rulers ought at least to be givers. If they have money to give for Christ's cause, let them give it, and give it, too, with liberality, in no selfish and in no niggard spirit. Every Christian can give something for the building up of the Church of Christ. We can give our time. We can give our attention to the poor, to the sick, to the stranger. Let Christians remember that in the n~tuml body there are no useless or idle members. Each member has its own distinct function, So is it in the Christian Church. There is some special work for every one to do.-C. H. L Vere. 9--21 (omitting vers.11 and 12, for which see below).-Tlw Chnstian'• duty to hisfeZlow-men. In these closing verses of this chapter the apostle sets before us the duty of a Christion man. It is a picture of what the Christian ought to be. What n world it would be if these precepts were carried out, if even every Christian wt1:1 careful to observe them I Six features the apostle mentions which should oho.rsctcriz<l our dealings with others. I. SINCERITY. "Let love be without dh1simulation" (ver. 9). Unreality, falsehood. insinoority, Ulltruthfulness,-these are prevalent ovils in our day. They weaken all 372 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [m. xn.1-!1.