The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 470

~['('nt hindmnC'('I to the spro11d of the gospel. It ie the samo Rt home. Thoro le cnsto in l'hri~1ian nations ns well as in henthen lan,1s. Yet it ought not to bo so. Nowhore were such differencos more marked than at Rome. 'l'hore were the wcll-defillcd and ~harply marked clRSses of patricians nud 11lchci&ns, Yet Paul ignores them, Many of the persons whom he mentions by name in his SRlutations in this ohRpter were sla'"°es. Yet they also were to bo included in the attention of the other members of the Church. Some one may say, "This is quite revolutionary. It would upset all our wcial arran£:ements." Perhaps so. And Christianity must make greater revolutioDB yet in the character and habits of profossing Christians if it is to win the world for Christ. More attention and kindness should be shown by one Ohristiau to another than is oommonly the case. Ill. AvomA KCE OF 'l'BE Qu ARRELSOMB. " Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and amid them" (ver. 17). And then he describes the character and motives of the gua'fTil.some. "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Obrist, but their own belly" (ver. 18). That is to say, those who are quarrelsome in disposition are those who put their own ideas, their own comfort, their own selfish desires or feelings, in the forefront. Interfere v.ith their plans, thwart their ambition, fail to respect their pride, and they are ready to take offence. The duty of the Christian is to avoid such ~ Such is the advice St. Paul gives here. Such advice he gave elsewhere. Speaking in bis letter to Timothy of disputatious persons, he says," From such with- draw thyself" (1 Tim. vi. 5). Writing to the Thessalonians, he says, "Now we command yon, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly" (2 Tbess. iii. 6). The reason of this is obnous. If quarrelsome persons are left to themselves, they will soon have nobody t.o quarrel with. It is an old saying that it takes two to make a quarrel. It might be added that it takes three to keep it up. A third party often fans the flame, If the Christian is brought into contact with quarrels at all, it should only be as a reconciler. " It is an honour to a man to cease from strife;" "Blessed are the peace- makers: for they shall be called the children of God."-C. H. L Vem. 20--2i.-The oWect and the strength of a Christian Oh'l.i!rch, Wijh these two important thoughts St. Paul closes hie Epistle. L THE CmJRCH's OBJECT. The Epistle ends with an ascription of glory to God (vers. 25-2i). This was the great end the apostle bad in view in writing his Epistle. And he would have his readers remember that this, too, is the great end for which a Church of Christ exists. "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever," We should glorify the love of the Father. This is the potent influence to draw men's be.arts from sin. "God so loved the world ; " "Behold, what manner of love the Father hatb bestowed upon ns ! " We should glorify the saving power of Jesus Christ the Son. This gives the sinner confidence to come to him. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved;" "l give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." We ,lwuJ,d glorify the B(1ITl,ctifying power of the Holy Spirit. " Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you;" "When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all truth." IL THE ClruBcH's STRENGTH. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (ver. 20); "Now to him that is of power to stablish you" (ver. 26), The 01,wrch'a Btrength iB not neassari/,y in its ntllTlWers. Gideon's army was at one time too namerOUB. "'.J.'he people that are with thee are too many" (Judg. vii. 2, 4). Nor in itB weal,th. W mlth has often been the weakness rather than the strength of the Christian Chw-ch. 0fl4" strength i, tn having God in the midst of -us, and in our Uvifig near lo him. This truth le wonderfully verified in the history of the Httle Church of the Vaudois. Through seven centuries of almost incessant persecution, that faithful and primitive little band-sometimea not exceeding a thousand in numbor- withstood the attackB of popes and princes, defied and defeated mighty annics, " out of weakness were made strong." '!'heir strength was unquestionably in the presence of G,,d with them, and in their unfaltering fidelity to the truth of the gospel. "God he.tL cLoeen the weak things of the world to confound the things whlch 11,re mighty," --0. H. L lllt, xvi. 1-27.] THE EPlS'fLE OF PAUL 'l'O THE ROMANS. 469