_Wherefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest._ MAN’S INEXCUSABLENESS I. Because-- 1. He has a knowledge of his duty. 2. He was created with ability to perform it. 3. He knows the consequences of neglecting it. 4. He condemns others for doing what he does himself. II... [ Continue Reading ]
_But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth._ GOD’S JUDGMENT IS I. Correct; according to the facts of the case. II. Impartial; according to a true moral standard, having respect to character. III. Equitable; according to the principles of infallible justice. By Him actions ar... [ Continue Reading ]
_And thinkest thou … that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?_ THE SINNERS’ FOLLY I. Their conduct. 1. They judge others. 2. Forget themselves. 3. Dream of impunity. II. Its folly. There is but-- 1. One law. 2. One judge. 3. One judgment. (_J. Lyth, D. D._) NO ESCAPING GOD’S JUDGMENT I... [ Continue Reading ]
_Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness._ EARNEST EXPOSTULATION I will give nothing for that preaching that is like the sheet lightning, flaming over a broad expanse, but altogether harmless. The apostle fixes his eye on a single person who had condemned others for transgressions in which he... [ Continue Reading ]
_But after thy hardness._ HARDNESS OF HEART I. What it is. 1. Not mere callousness or insensibility of feeling. 2. But entire obduracy of soul--not of one faculty, but of all. The same word is sometimes translated blindness and sometimes hardness. There are two words, πῶρος a stone, and πώρωσι... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who will render to every man according to his deeds._ WELL-DOING REWARDED In some parts of the Bible the inheritance of the saints is set forth as the recompense of good works, while there are others in which it is represented as the free gift of grace, a thing that faith alone can receive. Witho... [ Continue Reading ]
_To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life._ CONTRASTS I. In aim. II. In conduct. III. In result. (_J. Lyth, D. D._) WELL-DOING I. The supreme duty of life. “Well-doing.” Man only lives as he is active, and he only lives rightly an... [ Continue Reading ]
_For there is no respect of persons with God._ GOD NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS I. It needs be so, for God rules us all. II. It may well be so, for God is good to all. III. It ought to be so, for God has made all. IV. It must be so, for God is just to all. (_J. Lyth, D. D._) GOD NO RESPECTER OF PER... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law._ THE LAW AND SIN All sin-- I. Implies law. II. Must be measured by the law under which it is committed. III. Must be visited accordingly. (_J. Lyth, D. D.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For not the hearers of the law are Just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified._ HEARERS What the apostle says about the Jews is equally applicable to many so-called Christians. Multitudes justify themselves by attendance on a gospel ministry; God only justifies those who practis... [ Continue Reading ]
_For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these … are a law unto themselves._ MAN WITHOUT THE BIBLE “Law” means God’s special revelation through the Bible. This contains the moral code of Moses, exhibited in prophetic teaching, inculcated in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which show the work of the law written in their hearts._ THE WORK OF THE LAW WRITTEN IN THE HEART “I know and approve the better, and yet follow the worse,” said one of the wisest heathens; yet it did not require any superlative wisdom to arrive at that conclusion. Dr. Livingstone tells us that he... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the day when God shall Judge the secrets of men._ THE FUTURE JUDGMENT I. The grand subject of inquiry. “The secrets of men.” A phrase to be understood in its utmost latitude, including not only matters known only to God and our own consciences, but also things which escape ourselves, or the nat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, thou art called a Jew._ THE JEWS ALSO WITHOUT EXCUSE Hitherto the apostle, in seeking to shut up the Jew unto the faith of Christ, has contented himself with an enunciation of the equitable principles on which the final judgment shall proceed, simply affirming, of both rewards and punishm... [ Continue Reading ]
_For circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the law._ CIRCUMCISION IN RELATION TO BAPTISM I. Its institution (Genesis 17:9). It is called “the covenant,” and “the token of the covenant,” which God established with Abraham and his seed. So circumcision was not of man’s invention, but of God’s a... [ Continue Reading ]