_Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ._ AUTHENTICATION AND SALUTATION I. The apostle. 1. Paul was not the name by which he was always known, but was assumed shortly after the commencement of his mission to the Gentiles. The practice of assuming a Gentile, in addition to the original Hebrew name, was t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which He had promised afore by His prophets._ THE MESSIAH PREDICTED The Jews, throughout their history, differed from every other nation in their expectation of a Messiah. While heathen kingdoms decayed and fell without hope of deliverance, in Israel political decline was attended by an increasing... [ Continue Reading ]
_Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord._ CHRIST, GOD’S SON I. In what sense. 1. Not-- (1) As angels (Job 38:7). (2) As Israel (Exodus 5:22; Hosea 11:1). (3) As Adam and men in general (Luke 3:38; Acts 17:29). (4) As kings and rulers (Psalms 82:6). (5) As the godly and regenerate (Genesis 6... [ Continue Reading ]
_By whom we have received grace and apostleship: _ GRACE AND APOSTLESHIP I. Grace of apostleship, _i.e., _the favour of being an apostle. Given to the twelve (Matthew 10:1); to Paul (Acts 9:15; Acts 13:2). The ministry of the Word is given as a mark of Divine favour. So Chrysostom deemed it when h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ._ THE CALLED OF JESUS CHRIST This expression denotes-- 1. That the change is wholly of the Lord, that it is the effect of His own good pleasure, and accomplished by His Almighty power. Others may attempt it, but none can do it effectually but Him... [ Continue Reading ]
_To all that be in Rome._ THE APOSTOLIC GREETING I. Its contents. 1. Grace. (1) Favour bestowed by God in conviction, conversion, sanctification, comfort, help, etc. (2) Consciously enjoyed. Not something placed to our account in a heavenly record, but actually experienced in the heart and life... [ Continue Reading ]
_First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all._ TRUE CHRISTIAN ZEAL I. As it respects God is-- 1. Thankful. 2. Sincere. 3. Constant. 4. Prayerful. 5. Dependent (Romans 1:8). II. As it respects man is-- 1. Earnest. 2. Communicative. 3. Loving. 4. Unquenched by difficulties. 5.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son._ PAUL’S APPEAL TO GOD I. Its ground is the consciousness of entire consecration to the service of that God whom he had found in the revelation of His Son. 1. These are the two thoughts which are stamped on the whole of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Making request, if by any means … I might have a prosperous journey._ PROSPEROUS JOURNEY What is necessary to render a journey, or a voyage, prosperous in the estimation of a real Christian? Is he satisfied if by it his temporal interests are advanced, if he enjoys worldly pleasure, if he meets w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Oftentimes I purposed to come unto you._ PAUL’S PURPOSE I. Its history. “Oftentimes.” The project doubtless early formed. What more natural than that so distinguished a Christian citizen should desire to see the gospel firmly planted in the centre of the empire. This would be strongly opened by t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians._ I AM DEBTOR The text raises a question on points which, in mercantile phraseology, would be designated-- I. The business. 1. A merchant, embarked in an extensive foreign trade, has fallen into the habit of doing a good deal of petty business... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ._ THE GOSPEL What grand truths lie concealed in this Scripture, as in a kaleidoscope! The gospel being its focal point, several easy turns bring into clearest view some of the most precious things of our Christian faith. I. The first turn presents its... [ Continue Reading ]
_For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith._ RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED I. The gospel is a revelation of God’s righteousness. 1. Righteousness is a regard to what is right. 2. God is essentially a righteous Being. He knows what is due from each to the rest, and from all to... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness._ THE WRATH OF GOD I. Its objects. 1. Unrighteousness. 2. Impenitence. II. Its revelation. 1. In the conscience. 2. In the Word of God. 3. In Divine providence. III. Its consummation. 1. Certain. 2. Terrible. (_J. Lyth,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them._ WHAT ACQUAINTANCE MAN CAN HAVE OF GOD WITHOUT DIVINE REVELATION Consider-- I. His means of information. Conscience; nature; providence. II. The extent of his information. God’s natural perfections, et... [ Continue Reading ]
_Professing themselves to be wise they became fools._ THE FOLLIES OF THE WISE Futility of thought has reached the character of folly. What, in fact, is polytheism, except a sort of permanent hallucination, a collective delirium, a possession on a great scale? And this mental disorder rose to a kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who changed the truth of God into a lie._ THE TRUTH OF GOD EXCHANGED INTO A LIE ἐν, signifies the workshop, or matrix, where the exchange took place. Everything, of course, effected in and coming out of the workshop or matrix of falsehood is falsehood itself. How ridiculous would it be for us to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness._ THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DIVINE ABANDONMENT You have merely to loose the connection, and the trucks by their own weight rush down the incline, and dash themselves to a thousand pieces. A physician has merely to retire when his orders have been repea... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this cause God gave them up to vile affections._ HUMAN DEPRAVITY I. The cause of all this gross ignorance and corruption is assigned in Romans 1:28. “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” 1. The expression plainly assumes God’s having been known, and that the cause of corrupti... [ Continue Reading ]
_And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind._ THE STATE OF HEATHENDOM Idolatry is essentially the same in every age and place. 1. In its origin. It flows from a corrupt heart, desirous not to retain the knowledge of God. 2. In its natur... [ Continue Reading ]
_Being filled with all unrighteousness._ THE PREVALENCE OF EVIL All is full of crime and vice; there is more committed than can be healed by punishment. A monstrous prize contest of wickedness is going on. The desire to sin increases, and shame decreases day by day. Vice is no longer practised sec... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who knowing the Judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them._ THE DISPLEASURE OF GOD WITH ALL WHO ARE PLEASED WITH SIN I. Sinners do things which they know are displeasing to God. The heathen do things which... [ Continue Reading ]