Observe here, 1. The apostle's loving and courteous compellation, BRETHREN: so he calls the believing Romans. They were brethren by place and nation, and brethren by religion and profession: EODEM sanguine Christi conglutinati, CEMENTED TOGETHER BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, AND BY THE BANDS OF LOVE. Obs... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The apostle's dehortation, BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS world, THAT IS, "DO NOT FASHION OR ACCOMMODATE YOURSELVES TO THE CORRUPT PRINCIPLES OR CUSTOMS, TO THE SINFUL COURSES AND PRACTICES, OF THE MEN OF THE WORLD." THE CHRISTIAN IS TO WALK SINGULARLY, AND NOT AFTER THE WORLD'S GUISE; HE... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle having exhorted to an holy life in general, ver.. and to. spiritual renovation of mind, in order to it, ver.. comes now to. close exhortation to more particular duties; the first of which is modesty and true humility of mind. This he recommends especially to such who bear any public off... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle lays before us. special reason why the officers of the church should exercise humility towards, and employ their gifts and talents for, the general good and benefit of the church. The argument is drawn from. comparison between the natural body and the mystical body. "As in the natu... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our apostle had said, "Seeing it has pleased God to appoint distinct officers in his church, and to furnish those officers with various degrees of gifts, and not to make all equal either in gifts or office, let every one in general faithfully execute his office, and keep within the limits of h... [ Continue Reading ]
The foregoing exhortations respected church officers in particular; these that now follow concern all Christians in general, and acquaint them with their duties in common conversation. He begins with the grace and duty of love, that being. radical grace, the root from which all other graces and duti... [ Continue Reading ]
The next duty exhorted to, is diligence and industry in all our duties both to God and man, but particularly in the duties of our calling. We must avoid the two extremes of slothfulness on the one hand, and excessive drudgery on the other, in the management of our secular affairs and worldly busines... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle next directs the converted Romans how they should manage themselves under afflictions; namely, to endure them patiently, to rejoice in hope of present deliverance, or future happiness; and, in order to both, to be much in the duty of prayer. Learn hence, that hope, patience, and prayer,... [ Continue Reading ]
The next duty exhorted to, is that of charity and alms-giving to the poor members of Jesus Christ, especially when under persecution; showing hospitality towards them, and giving entertainment to them, when they seek it of us. Learn, 1. That charity to all persons, but especially to the persecuted... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle having taught us our duty to our friends in the former verse, teacheth us our duty here towards our enemies. BLESS THEM THAT PERSECUTE YOU: that is, pray for them, and wish well to them, whatever provocation you may have to the contrary. Learn hence, 1. That good men must make account o... [ Continue Reading ]
The next duty required, is Christian sympathy and mutual affection between brethren, both in prosperity and adversity, to rejoice in the one, and to mourn together in the other, as being members of the same body. Teaching us,that it is. Christian's duty to rejoice in those good things, whether inwar... [ Continue Reading ]
These words, BE YE OF THE SAME MIND ONE TOWARDS ANOTHER, are an exhortation to unity among Christians. This is threefold; an unity of the head, or an unity of judgment and opinion; an unity of the heart, or an unity in love and affection; and an unity of the tongue, which is an unity of expression.... [ Continue Reading ]
By EVIL here, we are to understand wrongs and private injuries; by NOT RECOMPENSING them, is meant not revenging them. Corrupt nature is very prone to return wrong for wrong, one ill turn for another, but Christianity sets. nobler pattern before us, even the example of him, "who when he was reviled,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty directed and exhorted to, namely, peaceableness; LIVE PEACABLY, that is, be of. peaceable temper, and follow those things which make for peace. Observe, 2. The extent and latitude of this duty: WITH ALL MEN LIVE PEACABLY; not with friends only, or with those of your own ju... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How the apostle renews his exhortation to all Christians to watch against the sin of private and personal revenge; he urged it before, ver. 17 he reinforces it here, ver. 19 thereby showing how prone our corrupt natures are to commit this sin, and how hard the contrary duty is to flesh... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "Instead of revenge, render kindness; return courtesies for injuries, affability for affronts: IF THY ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM." The words, as some critics observe, signify to feed their young ones. SO DOING, THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE UPON HIS HEAD. By coals of fire, 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Learn hence, That every Christian should not only take heed that he BE NOT OVERCOME OF EVIL; but also labour and endeavour what in him lieth to OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD. Question What are we to understand here by EVIL? Answer Any unkind or injurious dealings from others, any mischief or ill turn wh... [ Continue Reading ]