Romans 13:1 The Principles and Method of Christian Civilisation. I. It may not be certain that this Epistle was written at one of the worst moments of Roman tyranny. It may possibly belong to that short interval of promise which preceded the full outburst of Nero's natural atrocity. But the charac... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 13:4 I. In the chapter from which my text is taken St. Paul speaks of civil rulers as ministers of God. He does not limit or soften his language to suit the circumstances of his own time. Nero's will might be devilish; every power which he wielded was Divine. He had been appointed to rule th... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 13:7 The Doctrine of Obedience. Note: I. As suggested by the passage generally, the breadth and largeness of the gospel precepts. The broad principle is stated: obedience to lawful power. The application of it is left to reason, to conscience, to the inward guidance of the Holy Spirit. II.... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 13:10 I. The law being an expression of the mind and will of God, we have only to study the character of God more closely to interpret more correctly the spirit and intention of the law. The character of God is known to us by His works, His providences, His revelations of Himself by prophets... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 13:11 The Sleep of the Church. There are many thoughts crowded together here, but each is necessary to the other. They will not bear to be separated, but we must disentangle them by considering how each of them bears on our own life and practice. I. It is clear that the sleep or torpor whi... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 13:12 Inducements to Holiness. I. The argument which is drawn from the greater nearness of death (for this is evidently the argument here employed) is not of the same urgency when applied to the believer as to the unbeliever. If I ply the unbeliever with the fact that he is approaching neare... [ Continue Reading ]