The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 446

l'<.'nfid<'nce in Christ.. He knew whom he Juul believed. 'l'wenty-five yenrs ho hnt\ \l('(ln ~ernng him, and be he.d more than once proved the Divine power of Christ's presence and help. O"r power to eomm,micate the blessings of the gospel depends on two things. 1 . .A personal lmovikdge qf the gospel,. 2. Constant communion with Ohrist. A life of prayer is indispensable if we would live a life of usefulness. These mo things, personal knowledge of the gospel and personal oommuuion with Christ, will make us independent of time and circumstances. They impart strength and confi- dence. It was all the Mme to St. Patil hou, or when he went to Rome. As if he said "No matt.er how, no matter when I c,l1ue to you, one thing I am sure of, that I shali bring the rich blessing of Christ's gospel with me." As a matter of fact, he came there as a prisoner, but even thus he brought a blessing. Whether we are rich or poor, learned or unlea.rned, we shall be sure to oe.rry a blessing to the circles in which we move, if only we have first of all experienced the power of the gospel in our own hearts, and then realize our constant dependence upon Christ. There are two ways in which we can commtmicate this blessing. 1. By our Christian character. The Corin- thian Christians became living epistles (2 Cor. iii. 2, 3). Their changed life was a remarkable testimony to the power of the gospel. 2. By our personal testimony. If we know by personal experience the preciousness of Christ and the blessings of the gospel, let us be more ready to proclaim them to others.-C. H. I. Vers. 1-13.-Union in God. Here, as Godet says, "the particular question treated in eh. xiv. broadens; the point of view rises, and the tone is gradually heightened even to the elevation of a hymn, as at the end of all the great parts pre- ced.mg (eh. v. 12, a~-; viii. 31, et seq.; xi. 33, et seq.). Paul first exhorts, by the example of Christ, to mutual condescension (vers. 1-3); he points out (vers. 4-7), as an end to be reached, the common adoration to which such conduct will bring the Church; :finally (vers. 8-13), he indicates the special part given to Jews and to Gentiles in th.i.s song of the whole redeemed race." It is not now so much the particular question which has jnst been dee.It with, as the whole question of which that was but a part, viz. the relation of a free, spiritual Christianity to the more or less Judaic Chris- tianity of some, to which the apostle here directs his words. They are to be of one mind, that they may with one mouth glorify God. L A IIUTUAL LOVE. The 11trong ought to show their strength by bearing the infirmi- ties of the wea.k. And not only will their strength thus be most perfectly shown, but the love, which is more than strength. For th.i.s love is the law of the new life. Shall we then please onrselves, by pluming ourselves on our liberty, our superior faith? Nay, rather, we must seek, in love, to please our neighbour. But not merely as pleasing him, though th.i.s is an end to be sought; but as pleasing him in harmony with all right principle, viz. for his good, unto edifying. '!'here mUBt be the desire to con- tribute comfort, joy; but, above this, and as controlling all else, the desire to contribute to his building up in holiness and love. And what is our great inspiration to this help- fulness of sacrificing love? We have the mind of Christ I Did he please himself? How, then, had-we been saved? Nay, rather, for our sake he gave up all. In him was seen pr-minently the spirit of sacrifice expressed in the ancient words, "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell npon me." And as generally the ancient Scriptures were written that we might also endure all things for God's sake, being com- forted of God, aDd so have hope of the perfect salvation at last, ought we not in this particular respect to make the sacrifice required, bearing even the weak scruples of our brethren. that together, through God's comfort, we may have hope of heaven? Yes, we must be "of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus." II. A oolOlOB' PRAISE. What shall be the result of loving like-mindedness, in which all differences are sank? A glorifying of God, with one accord. And the one united psalm eh.all be but the expression of one common thankegiving, filling the hearts of all, for the love wherewith Gw bath loved them. Is not this the end of all God's redeem- ing work, that all should join in loving praise to God, being redeemed with one common redemption-a praise shown forth, not only with the lips, but in the lives? So should all thiogs be made new. 'l'o this end wae ChrisL's work, that Jew and Gentile together migl,t be saved by a true and merciful God. The ancient Scriptures foresaw this grand 1eault, the blending of Gentile and Jewish praise in one large harmony. So David'• OH, xv. 1-33.J 'l'HE EPIS'l'LE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANf;, 445