_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:1. WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.—Wanting in oldest manuscripts. Supposed to be a mistake. A wise addition. Romans 8:2.—Acquitted, all claim of sin is at an end. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:1_ The natural and the spiritual man.—This... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:3.—The flesh of Christ alone is sinless. “Created in the likeness of sinful flesh,” that He might be in all points tempted as men are. Romans 8:4.—Might be fulfilled, be accomplished or done in us. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:3_ The method of law and the... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:5.—The state is indicated in Romans 7:25, when the mind can serve the law of God, and only the flesh is subject to the law of sin. Romans 8:6. CARNALLY MINDED (φρόνημα τῆς σαρκός).—Lust, a figurative expression, occasioned by what precedes. Romans 8:10. BUT THE SPIRIT IS... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:14_ Marks of God’s sons.—Led, and not driven. Led as the scholar by his teacher, the traveller by his guide, the soldier by his captain. So the Son of God is led by the Spirit of God. The Son of God is not driven by brute force, not treated as a mere mach... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:15.—The Chaldee and Greek words for “father” are used so as to affect both Jews and Gentiles. “Abba,” like “papa,” can be spoken with the mouth, and properly, therefore, characterises genuine childlike disposition and manner (Olshausen). Romans 8:18. FOR I RECKON.—As the... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:18_ Is life worth living?—Question much asked by present-day philosophers. What is real answer? _Prayer Book_ says Yes: “We thank Thee for our creation.” Does _Bible_ say so? Our passage gives answer Yes or No—_depends upon belief in future life as revea... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:19. EXPECTATION.—In the original a highly figurative word. Hope stands with head erect, and with eyes fixed towards the point from which the blessing is expected to come. WAITETH.—To receive something from the hands of one who extends it to you from afar. OF THE CREATURE.—... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:24.—The salvation which we now enjoy is by the exercise of hope as well as faith. Romans 8:25.—The duty of waiting with patient endurance is argued from salvation being yet a matter of hope. It enables all who possess it to wait in patience. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAG... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:26. THE SPIRIT ITSELF MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.—The divine Spirit works in the human spirit. ἐντυγχάνω, to light upon, to meet with a person. Then to go to meet a person for supplication. Hence to entreat, to pray; ὑπέρ, with genitive of person, to make intercession for... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:28. ALL THINGS.—Without exception—all things visible and invisible, our troubles, even our sins. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:28_ Consoling knowledge.—St. Paul was keenly alive to suffering. He sympathised with a suffering creation. And yet, as he stands... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:29.—Foreknowledge communicates the strength of grace to those to whom it refers. Romans 8:30. CALLED.—The cause of it God’s love, the act of calling; the effect, bestowal of blessings. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:29_ The unseen and the seen.—The believer... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:32_ Love resolving, performing, and revealing.—The argument employed by St. Paul in this verse is one from the greater to the less. It is a self-evident principle that the greater implies and includes the less. The greater gift is that of the well-beloved... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:34.—Justification opposed to accusation, defence and advocacy to condemnation. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 8:33_ Christ’s intercessory work. CHRISTIAN FAITH TEACHES; 1. Christ’s ascension to God’s right hand; 2. Christ’s session at God’s right hand. “Rig... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 8:36. WE ARE BEING KILLED.—To express the intensely present. Romans 8:37.—Are triumphantly victorious. Have superabundant strength. Romans 8:38. FOR I AM PERSUADED, ETC.—To be induced to believe, to yield to, is πείθειν (Pass. and Midd.). θάνατος violent death, often threa... [ Continue Reading ]