The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 453

nltor not. It le this essential sameness of the human lot which lends to the Bible perennial interest We have the same battle to fight, the same need of divinely lnetruoted wisdom nntl divinely furbished weapons. We are takin<> the same journey 0 ae ancient heroes, nnd she.re their perplexities and convictions. I. AN INTENSE LONGING. The apostle frequently alluded to bis desire t.o visit Rome o.nd see the brethren there. Aquila and Priscilla. must often have convened with him reepeoting the famous city, o.nd the vast influx of strangers to be witneased there oontinuo.lly. The apostle ho.d high hopes kindled in his breast, thou<>hts of the metropolis o.e the" pulpit" of the world. The words of a. speaker amid th; seven hills would, like the faith of the disciples there, be trumpeted to every part of the globe. After some yen.re the apostle resolved t.o carry his desire into effect (see Acta xix.). This Epistle offers explanations of the circumstances which had hitherto prevented the reo.liza.tion of the wish. Here is a lesson of patient tJUumission to the gu.id= of God. Whilst doors of entrance and utterance were opening in the East, and the Gentiles were becoming obedient by word o.nd deed, the Holy Spirit plainly signified that fields so ripe for the sickle must not be deserted. Let those impatient for another sphere of labour beware lest through some burning impulse they neglect the crops ready to tba reaper's hands. The wider scope may be presented hereafter. We learn, too, the apostle's missionary method. He liked not to build on another's foundation. He chose of two regions the one most like fellow ground. He loved to evangelize rather than proselytize, and whilst unoccupied territory was near it did not seem right to visit a Church where Christ had been already proclaimed. It is matter for thankfolness that denominations and missionary societies are beginning t.o recognize the evil and sin of overlapping agencies and districts. Note the apostle's jmtifica,titm of his desire to see Rome. He intended to make it not his terminus, but a temporary resting-place, and a starting-point for further excursions. His eager vision beheld Churches rising in the furthest western limits of Europe, his ear caught the sounds of prayer and praise soon to ascend from countries debased by superstition and vice. The victories won over Satan in Asia. Minor and Greece he hoped. to repeat in Italy and Spain. He perhaps projected tours through France, for t.o this Christian warrior, as to Alexander of Macedon, there could be no rest as long as there were kingdoms, if not conquered, at least unassailed. Oh for more of this crusading spirit, this holy ambition I II. AN UNCERTAINTY as to the time of the expected visi~ " When I come." There seemed Do reason why Paul should not proceed to Rome immediately after the Pentecostal feast at Jerusalem. But he saw a cloud arising which contained the materials for II storm, though in what way it would bUillt, or whether it Inight not pass over, he could not foresee. He knew the vindictive watchfulness of "them that did not believe in Judrea," enemies who never forgave his desertion of their cause. The story in the Acts tells how hie suspicions were confirmed by the predictions of .Agabus, and how the apostle's yielding to the excessive caution of the saints furnished an. occasion for the fury of the fanatical Jews. Imprisonment and shipwreck. lay on the apostle's course, and when ultimately his wish to visit the metropolis was gratified, he entered as a prisoner with a prospect of a wearisome captivity. How strangely the hoped-for differed from the actual I Nor is it by any means rare to find the fruition of our hopes attended with far other than the bright-hued environment imagination foreco.sted. Plo.ne are exeouted, the projected castles built, the rank secured, the home obtained, yet the accompaniments vary in toto from those anticipated. Somet.imes we have o.sked selfishly, and the cup petitioned ho.s held a bitter potion indeed. Yet the Christian mo.y say confidently, "The will of the Lord be done." There are times when our Master leads his servants purposely through fiood and flame. Then ~ it ours like Po.ul to accept the post of honour and bravely do our best. III. A FULL ABBURANOE tho.t his arrival would be fraught with good. "I know that I sho.11 come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ." 1. He would miler Uid city aa a messenger of Ohrist. Not for purpos~s of pleasure and sight-seeing, but as the bearer of sBonid tidings would he iu nay case approach Rome. .Along the .Appian Way had mnny a renownod general returned lo.den with the spoils of conflict, many llll omtor and philosopher had pRSsed through the gates, but none more honoured by postel"~ty thBn this servant of Christ. When scekiug our own ends we mlly over doubt of a ()Olctitial convoy, but whon seoking the thiugs of Christ, ,he ambass:\uur of Christ shall ~ THE BPIBTLB OP PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [oe, xv, 1-88,