The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 475

the members e.11 receive the gospel, their ee.rtbly love ia cemented, tra.nBfigured, eter- nnlized by loyalty to the same Lord, e.nd participation in the same heavenly hopes and e.ime. Like Andrew, who brought bis own brother to Christ, should our effort-a first be direoted to the se.lve.tion of our own relatives and countrymen. II. Tnm SINCERITY OF OUR RELIGION 18 PROVED BY FELLOWSHIP IN SUFFERING, Andronicus o.nd Junie.a he.d shown, by she.ring the imprisonment of the apostle, that they were more the.n fair-weather Christians. Their fortitude increased the apostle's alfection e.nd esteem. They he.d flinched not when trial came, but nnderwent shame and loss for Jesus Christ. The Church has always need of stout-hearted disciples, ready to face obloquy, ridicule, poverty, rather than sacrifice principle. We could envy these Christians their imprisonment with the apostle. Who conld not wish to be Silas to join Paul in his hymns o.nd prayers in the stocks? One of the inmates of Bunya.n's jail was permitted to take the manuscript of the ia:imortal ' Pilgrim's Progress ' and peruse it quietly in his own cell. Fancy being the first reader, permitted to pass judgment upon the work and to urge its publication I To suffer together in a righteous cause has ever bound men to ea.eh other in mutual respect and sympathy. Even the Peninsular and the Crimean veterans have liked to commemorate their co=on deeds of prowess by annual celebrations. If the apostle was not oblivious of the endurance of these Christians, we may be sure that One on high has never forgotten them. No act of heroism is unregistered in heaven. "Ye are they who have continued with me in my temptations." Ill. IT WAS NO ORDINARY HONOUR TO BE OF filGH REPUTE AlllONG THE LEADERII OF THE CHURCH. From a. passage in the Acts we learn that Paul had relatives at Jerusalem who were interested in him, and these mentioned in the text may have belonged to that family well known at the apostolic head-quarters. No true man is insensible to the good opinion of men of acknowledged worth. It was one of the qualifications of a. bishop that he should "have a good report of them that a.re with- out." How easy is it to value the suffrages of worldly society more than the est.eem of the followers of Jesus! Yet the applause of the world is an empty breath, the praise of the newspapers soon dies a.way, military glory is a" bubble reputation." The desire of fame is one of the strongest passions. Eratostratus burnt the temple at Ephesua to secure notoriety. 'l'he gospel does not_ scorn these natural forces, but utilizes them by refining and purifying our motives. It persuades us to approve ourselves to him who searches the heart and tries the reins, whose eyes are as _11 flame of fire. "I know thy works and thy charity, thy service, and faith, and patience." Volta.ire lamented on his death-bed, "I ho.ve swallowed nothing but smoke; I have intoxicated myself with the incense that turned my head." "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." _ IV. THEm PROFESSION STOOD THE TEST OF YEARS. The apostle does not omit to notice their early con version, They "were in Christ before" him. In any case disciple- ship signified a sharp struggle, and a ·.vrench from old associations. One's real age is determined ethically, not physically. Seniority in Church-membership is not to take precedence of spiritual gifts, but demand11 courteous recognition. "Ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder." Age is doubly venerable when like a mellow sunset it crowns a Christian day. We mn.y well ask whether we have advanced in knowledge, spirituality, and usefulness, as others have who commenced with us the Christian race. Are we lagging behind, whilst they have marched to the front? That is a happy competitiqn to be " first in Christ." There is room for all; there need be no disappointed competitors. To be "out of Christ" is to be hopeless and undone. Shall parents and friends press forward to the Master's feet while we remain irresolute, undecided? The law is, " He that asketh, receiveth.n Paul outstripped many apostolic compeers. -S.R.A. Vers. 17, 18.-Fomenters of discord. A bright galaxy of Christian stars has been enumerated in this chapter, In contrast with these " lights of the sky " are those wandel'iug will-o'-the-wisps which lend men astmy in the darkness; mtu-shy exhalations conducting to quagmires of destruction. The only course to be pursued in relation to the latter is to avoid them as a plngue, 11s moral lepers whose presence br'u:igs cuntaglon, (74 'l'HE EPISTLE t)F PAUL 'l'O 'l'HE ROMANS. [oil, xvx. 1-27,