The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 454

be tJ"('RtN as such. 2. He oou.ld not COflCt'ive of the absence of that spiritual 1,owe, ,c,hich had thw far attfflded. h-. "Lo, I am with you alway," was tho promiso. Like Joseph in PotiphR.r's houae, and the ark in the houee of Obod-Edom, a true mnn of God brings a blessing where'er he sojourns. Who should separate the apostle from t-he love and equipment of hie Lord? To rely on this is not preeumption, but Goel- honouring oonfidence. 8. No soanty measure of spiritual gifts ever satisfied or was m;ped«l by this deooted labovrer. He made little mention of tongues and healing, of priestly functions and intellectual displays ; he looked to the bleseing which maketh endlessly, joyously rich; tha.t knowledge, proclamation, and practice of the gospel which bears fruit unto et.ernal life. Next to the presence of the Lord himself the advent of e faithful minister profits our gatherings. With what delight, like members of e. famil:, long separated, would these primitive Christians confer on t,he holy theme of the new faith ! Let our a.nxiety be not to fritter away time in idle gossip, but to make each other wiser and better for the meeting. If we more often expected seasons when, lilre the river Jordan in b:i.rrest-time, our hearts should be filled to overflowing, tl.e testimony would more frequently rejoice us: "It WM good to be there." Prepare to.e vessels for the fulness of the blessing which alone can banish poverty and weakness of the spirit. This conviction did not preclude the apostle from requesting the prayers of the Church for the fulfilment of his beloved project. To our short-sighted reason it is unnecessary t.o pray t.o the Father who orders all things aright. But our conclusion is based on too na.rrow premisses; there are other ends subserved by prayer. It has respect to the plans of the .Almighty and the character of hie creatures. Prayer is one of the laws of the kingdom, and" effectual fervent prayer availeth much."-S. R. A. V ers. 1-13.-!'M Ohrist-U~ duty ofp1,ea,sing our neighbour. Haviug just counselled the strong t.o defer as far as possible to the consciences of the weak, the apostle continues the subject in the thirteen verses now before us. He urges as the principle of the Christian life/not self-ple:i.eing, but neighbour-pleasing. He limits this, of course, by the condition of edification. In short, a Christian is to be a public character, regulating his life by the spiritual interests of all around him. In this respect he will be following Christ. L THE PLEASING OF OTHEBS, NOT THE PLEASING OF OURSELVES, IB TO BE THJ!I BULB OP OUR Cll1lil!Tli.N LIVING. Now, this does not mean: 1. Popularity-hunting. For this is securing a selfish end by means of gratifying our neighbours. It is self-pleasing in a snbtle and deceptive shape. It is self-pleasing, even though it may involve the degraaation of onr neighbour. And it does mean : 2. The conciliation and even hwmou,ring of our neighbou/1' wi,th a '1iew to hill edification. This is real love, going all lengths to serve and edify a neighbour. We will bear with him, even humour him, with the thoroughly Wlll8lfish end of securing his edification. It is the very essence of public Ber11iA:e. What e. contrast it presents to the self-seeking which, alas I goes on among men under the name of public services I IL IN THIS LIPTil!l'G UP OF OUR FELLOWS WE SHALL BE STRENGTHENED BY LOOKING UP TO CHBIST. For the whole spirit of onr Master's ministry consi.8ted in pleasing others and not himself. Not, indeed, that men understood hie plan. The gospel does not appear a.t first t.o promote men's pleasure. It humiliates, it breaks them down, it calls for penit4lntial tenderness ; but it eecnrea peace through pardon, and the joy which comes through believing. Our Lord's sufferings were consequently in the long run with a view t.o the real and a.biding plea.sure of men. And so he was constantly lifting them up, so far a.s they would allow him. Hie very crucifixion wa.s to please others, and eecnre their edification. A broad view of Christ's history, therefore, shows it u, have been a pleasing of others, uot of himself. He became a servant of the circumcision that the Jews might be brought to peace and joy; he became the Saviour aDd so the Joy of the Gentiles. In both respects he was pleasing and edifying others, not pleasing hirnsell Hie eelf-aacrificing life becomes thus the fountain-head for public service. ill. TBE GOSPEL THUB DIBTDIIGUIBJIE8 ITSELF J'BOJ,[ UTILITAnIA.N TEACHING. For inlltead of directing us to regulate our conduct by self-pleasing, which is at bottom the utilitarian principle, it direc,-ts us to please our neighbour unto edification, and in the 9Firit of C,'hrist. 1'or is our pleasing of our neighbour to secure persona.I comfort; this olt. xv. 1-88.] 1'Hlll EPIS'l'LE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 453