The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 461

the eake of Ohriet, upon the model of Christ, in the Name of Christ, with a view to the approval of Ghrist. The Lord is himself the bond binding true workers in one. 2. They had endangtrred life/or hiB ,afety. Whether in Corinth or amidst the tumult at Ephesus, these two faithful friends bad :shielded the apostl~ from the wrath and violence of the enemies of the faith, and this at the risk of their own life. This was a practical exemplification of the duty and excellence of brotherly love. Thus Paul learned to say," For a good man some would even dare to die." Thus St. John could teach, knowing that the advice was not impracticable," We also ooght to lay down our life for the brethren." 3. They had cultivated social religion. Wherever they went these ?evote~ Christians consecra~ pa.rt of their. dwelling to Christian assembly and worship. Bemg tent-makers, need~ng large prem1see,_and probably employing many work-people, they had accommodat10n for such gathennga. Often in the New Testa- ment we read of the "Church in the house." The expression not only reminds us of the duty and privilege of family religion, and household worship; it also teaches us that all our possessions and circumstances should be turned to account in the service of Christ, and especially that we should bring neighbours together to hear the gospel, and fellow-Christians to realize Christian fellowship and to cultivate brotherly love. II. 0DSERVE THE RECOGNITION BY THE APOSTLE OF THE3B SERVICES AND CLAI:119. "Honour to whom honour "-a maxim nowhere better justified than in cases like this before us. 1. Paul shows gratitude. Although their ministrations and self-sacrifice were now events of the past, the recollection of them was fresh in the apostle's mind. There are those who think it unwise to express gratitude and admiration ; the apostle was not one of these. He gave thanks. And he tendered the thanks, not only of his own heart, but of "all the Churches of the Gentiles "-an expression this, all the more graceful, in that Aquila and his wire were themselves Jews. But they had laboured largely among the Gentiles, who were very sensible or their services. And they had probably saved the life of "the apostle of the Gentiles," on which account those for whom Paul especially laboured owed them a special measure of gratitude. 2. Paul sends greeting. Among the worthies of the Christian community at Rome, the names of these natives of Pontus were included, and amongst them have come down to posterity. Paul obeyed the gospel admonition, "Be courteous," and often set an example of that kind and sympathetic consideration which goes far to ease the working and promote the happiness of human life. PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. Be devoted in Christian labour. 2. Delight in Christian fellowship, 3. Employ social influence for Christ's glory. 4. In Christian interconrs" display Christian courtesy. Ver. 6.-The twofold bond. Some men nre known and remembered for what they have done; others for the position they have occupied in some great movement, or the friendships they have formed with some great characters. Paul's was a name which overshadowed most of his contemporary fellow-labourers in the cause of Christian evangeliza.tion; yet there were those, e.g. Timothy and Aquila, nmong those men- tioned in this chapter who had no mean title to an independent position and memorial. On the other hand, some, like Eprenetus, would never have been remembered except through association with the apostle of the Gentiles. It is a beautiful trait in Paul's character that his heart cherished warm, affectionate recollections of some persons, who, by reason of the obscurity of their position and the slenderness of their abilities, could adJ. no lustre to the apostle's fame, and perhaps little efficacy to his mission. From this verse we learn that n twofold bond united Paul to Eprenetus. I. THE DOND OF PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE. The Lord Jesus hsd himself, by hie example and by his precepts, constituted Christianity a religion of love. Speaking to hie disciples, he said, "Love one another, even as I have loved you." " Having loved his own, he loved them unto the end." He even countenl\nced a tender, persons!, and sf,ecial friendship; for St. John is often described as "the disciplti whom Jesus loved.' Now, the Apostle Paul inculcated, with frequency and urgency, the Divine lesson, saying," Let brotherly love continue;" and eulogizing, especially in his Epistle to the Corinthians, the grace of ch1uity. And ho also exemplified the virtue c>f Chris- tian love in his own spirit, nod iu the mauy friendships which he formed. His attach- ment to Eprenetus was undoubtedly sincere e.nd uut'cign~d; and whe.t mor.i natur,11 460 TlIE EPISTLE OP PAUL TO TaE ROMA.NB. [oa, x"r, 1-9f,