The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 437

f'trengthening and c0n11ol11tory power of Divine graoe is exhibited both in the deolara• tions and doctrines, and 111s0 in the practi011l 11nd living exhibitions and manifestations of piety, which abound in Holy Script.ure. III. '!'RE ULTUHTE AND ll:XAOT PURPOSE FOR WRIOR THE SORIPTUBEB RAVE BEEN GITE..'-. 'l'hat is, that we may have ho~. 1. Why is this needed? Because in this life, and in 0ur experience., there is very much to occasion depression and deepondenoy, Our own wMkness and liability to error and to sin, and the ills of human eooiety, are t<uch as to aooount for frequent disMnragement. 2. How is hope awakened and fostered by the Script-ure~? By their exp['{'ss declarations of Divine meroy, and their explicit promises of E<uc-oour and guidance and bl=ing. 3, Whither are our hopes directed? Primarily to God: "Hope thou in Goo." And then also to earthly deliverance and to heavenly Tel!t. 4. What is the moral power of hope? It both cheers and sustains the soul, and makes it brighter and more confident in fulfilling Christian service. Vers. 5, 6.-Unity. Mutual forbearance and considerateness tend to true spiritual unity. In the presence of a hostile world, it was evidently of the highest practical importance that the early Christians should exhibit the power of the truth and the Spirit of God to draw them together, and to make them one. How dear this aim was t.o the heart of Christ, is evident alike from his frequent admonitions and from an urgent petition in his great intercessory prayer. L THE Drrn."E SouBCE OF tn."ITY. That true unity is from God appears : 1. From the nature and character of God, as " the God of patience and of comfort." 2. Fmm the apostolic prayer, "grant you to be like-minded," etc., from which it is apparent that, in the view of the inspired apostle, the true fountain of concord and brotherly lo~e is in heaven, in the hea.rt of the infinite Father. 8. From the mediation of Jesus Christ, whose design in redemp~ion was first to "make peace" between a righteous Ruler and rebellious subjects; and then to break down every wall of partition thnt divided man from man, and to constitute one new, unbroken humanity in himself-the glorious Head. IL THE ILUo""IFEST.ATIONS OF tn."ITY. 1. Where this grace exists, there is one mind, with mutual love. By "the same mind" the apostle does not mean "of the same opinion." This is not possible where men think freely and independently. But he means "of similar ciisposition towards Christ," "of like sentiments of brotherly love one towards :mother." This is pleasing to the God of peace and love. 2. Where this grace e:tists there is" one month," with common praise. There is a sacrifice in which all devout sonls, all holy assemblies, constantly unite-it is the sacrifice of gratitude and praise. The several voices in this offering to Heaven blend in sweetest concord, and form a Divine and exquisite harmony. The more the notes, the vaster the variety, the more marvellous and beautiful is the spiritual concert. As with one only mouth, the livinu Church offers to the "God and Father of onr Lord Jesus Christ" the anthem ir spiritual, acceptable, and unending praise-the Church on earth herein pre- paring for the eternal song of heaven. .AFPL1cATIO!i'. Unit,y;must be, not merely in word or in outward association, but in the spirit of love and in the tribute of grateful adoration. Ver. 13.-The ojfke of the Holy Spirit. Paul was not one of those upon whom the S1,irit foll on the !Jayo~ Pentecost_- He was at that time a_ ~cholar; l~ving _proba.~ly in Jerusalem, and certainly etudymg the Law and the trad1t1one of his nation, with all the energy of an ardent, zealous, and persevering mind. He may have known at the time of the remarkable events which occurred; but if he did, they made no great impreB11ion on him. For only two or three years afterwards, when Stephen was stoned, baul waM one of those who "consented to his death." And, as we read, he " made havoc of the Church,'' and "breathed out threatenings and slaughter" against the disciples of the Lord. But if for a while neither the crucifixion of Christ nor the descent of the Holy Spirit had any effect upon the Pharisee who boa.sted himself to be of the school of Gamaliel, the time came when the fuith which he despised and ~rsoouted laid hold upon hie great heart, aad aijsurned the lordehip over his active life. Aod now obi;erve two things very uoticcable in Saul'H hiBtory, First, when J.u.ar,ial! wa11 11eut to the llutitwn and blinded pcraecutor, to rulease him, in the name OU, xv. 1-33.] Tirn EPffl'rLI1) O1r PAUf., TO THE ROMANS.