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05102
* Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1,2) To be
humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their
respective stations. (3-8) Exhortations to various duties.
(9-16) And to peaceable conduct towards all men, with
forbearance and benevolence. (17-21)
#1,2 The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein
he argues and proves various doctrines which are practically
applied, here urges important duties from gospel principles. He
entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies
of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him.
This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day
the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are,
all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for
such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable
service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and
which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the
renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the
qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to
sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is
the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in
glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this
world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it
lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not
fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the
flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first
begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will,
affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the
whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness,
and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to
God.
05104
#3-8 Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and
armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who
is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity.
In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one
sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all
the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If
we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail
properly to improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not
be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a
pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying
out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am
nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am
nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the
utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our
gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves
humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking
our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world
and that which is to come.
05110
#9-16 The professed love of Christians to each other should be
sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful
compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and
dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and
useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must
cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in
one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their
children; which is more tender and natural than any other;
unforced, unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for
the gospel, will make the wise Christian diligent in all his
worldly business, and in gaining superior skill. God must be
served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit.
He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we
rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him,
but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer.
Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in
hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be
cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must
there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must
not harbour anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which
rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real
supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to
entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must
welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good
will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other
times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. True
Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of
each other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same
spiritual truths; and when you come short of that, yet agree in
affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy
contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled
to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be.
Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts
to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves;
therefore that must be mortified.
05118
#17-21 Since men became enemies to God, they have been very
ready to be enemies one to another. And those that embrace
religion, must expect to meet with enemies in a world whose
smiles seldom agree with Christ's. Recompense to no man evil for
evil. That is a brutish recompence, befitting only animals,
which are not conscious of any being above them, or of any
existence hereafter. And not only do, but study and take care to
do, that which is amiable and creditable, and recommends
religion to all with whom you converse. Study the things that
make for peace; if it be possible, without offending God and
wounding conscience. Avenge not yourselves. This is a hard
lesson to corrupt nature, therefore a remedy against it is
added. Give place unto wrath. When a man's passion is up, and
the stream is strong, let it pass off; lest it be made to rage
the more against us. The line of our duty is clearly marked out,
and if our enemies are not melted by persevering kindness, we
are not to seek vengeance; they will be consumed by the fiery
wrath of that God to whom vengeance belongeth. The last verse
suggests what is not easily understood by the world; that in all
strife and contention, those that revenge are conquered, and
those that forgive are conquerors. Be not overcome of evil.
Learn to defeat ill designs against you, either to change them,
or to preserve your own peace. He that has this rule over his
spirit, is better than the mighty. God's children may be asked
whether it is not more sweet unto them than all earthly good,
that God so enables them by his Spirit, thus to feel and act.
05123
* The duty of subjection to governors. (1-7) Exhortations to
mutual love. (8-10) To temperance and sobriety. (11-14)
#1-7 The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet,
where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring
and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us
themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be
submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs,
rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but
to evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that
many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of
punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore
do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it.
This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably
where God has set them, #1Ti 2:1,2|. Christians must not use any
trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods,
withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express
command of God. Thus honest neighbours are robbed, who will have
to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who
join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors
of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The
lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and
practise, that the godly in the land will always be found the
quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.
05130
#8-10 Christians must avoid useless expense, and be careful not
to contract any debts they have not the power to discharge. They
are also to stand aloof from all venturesome speculations and
rash engagements, and whatever may expose them to the danger of
not rendering to all their due. Do not keep in any one's debt.
Give every one his own. Do not spend that on yourselves, which
you owe to others. But many who are very sensible of the
trouble, think little of the sin, of being in debt. Love to
others includes all the duties of the second table. The last
five of the ten commandments are all summed up in this royal
law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; with the same
sincerity that thou lovest thyself, though not in the same
measure and degree. He that loves his neighbour as himself, will
desire the welfare of his neighbour. On this is built that
golden rule, of doing as we would be done by. Love is a living,
active principle of obedience to the whole law. Let us not only
avoid injuries to the persons, connections, property, and
characters of men; but do no kind or degree of evil to any man,
and study to be useful in every station of life.
05133
#11-14 Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory
for his day's work. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the
sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the
sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual
deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time.
Also the salvation nigh at hand. Let us mind our way, and mend
our pace, we are nearer our journey's end. Also to make
ourselves ready. The night is far spent, the day is at hand;
therefore it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must
put off; clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of
darkness. Observe what we must put on; how we should dress our
souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must reckon
himself undressed, if unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this
armour, to secure the soul from Satan's temptations, and the
assaults of this present evil world. Put on Christ; that
includes all. Put on righteousness of Christ, for justification.
Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ, for sanctification. The
Lord Jesus Christ must be put on as Lord to rule you as Jesus to
save you; and in both, as Christ anointed and appointed by the
Father to this ruling, saving work. And how to walk. When we are
up and ready, we are not to sit still, but to appear abroad; let
us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please
God, who ever sees us. Walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the
works of darkness. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there
usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy.
Solomon puts these all together, #Pr 23:29-35|. See what
provision to make. Our great care must be to provide for our
souls: but must we take no care about our bodies? Yes; but two
things are forbidden. Perplexing ourselves with anxious,
encumbering care; and indulging ourselves in irregular desires.
Natural wants are to be answered, but evil appetites must be
checked and denied. To ask meat for our necessities, is our
duty, we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for
our lusts, is provoking God, #Ps 78:18|.
05137
* The Jewish converts cautioned against judging, and Gentile
believers against despising one the other. (1-13) And the
Gentiles exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of
indifferent things. (14-23)
#1-6 Differences of opinion prevailed even among the immediate
followers of Christ and their disciples. Nor did St. Paul
attempt to end them. Compelled assent to any doctrine, or
conformity to outward observances without being convinced, would
be hypocritical and of no avail. Attempts for producing absolute
oneness of mind among Christians would be useless. Let not
Christian fellowship be disturbed with strifes of words. It will
be good for us to ask ourselves, when tempted to disdain and
blame our brethren; Has not God owned them? and if he has, dare
I disown them? Let not the Christian who uses his liberty,
despise his weak brother as ignorant and superstitious. Let not
the scrupulous believer find fault with his brother, for God
accepted him, without regarding the distinctions of meats. We
usurp the place of God, when we take upon us thus to judge the
thoughts and intentions of others, which are out of our view.
The case as to the observance of days was much the same. Those
who knew that all these things were done away by Christ's
coming, took no notice of the festivals of the Jews. But it is
not enough that our consciences consent to what we do; it is
necessary that it be certified from the word of God. Take heed
of acting against a doubting conscience. We are all apt to make
our own views the standard of truth, to deem things certain
which to others appear doubtful. Thus Christians often despise
or condemn each other, about doubtful matters of no moment. A
thankful regard to God, the Author and Giver of all our mercies,
sanctifies and sweetens them.
05143
#7-13 Though some are weak, and others are strong, yet all must
agree not to live to themselves. No one who has given up his
name to Christ, is allowedly a self-seeker; that is against true
Christianity. The business of our lives is not to please
ourselves, but to please God. That is true Christianity, which
makes Christ all in all. Though Christians are of different
strength, capacities, and practices in lesser things, yet they
are all the Lord's; all are looking and serving, and approving
themselves to Christ. He is Lord of those that are living, to
rule them; of those that are dead, to revive them, and raise
them up. Christians should not judge or despise one another,
because both the one and the other must shortly give an account.
A believing regard to the judgment of the great day, would
silence rash judgings. Let every man search his own heart and
life; he that is strict in judging and humbling himself, will
not be apt to judge and despise his brother. We must take heed
of saying or doing things which may cause others to stumble or
to fall. The one signifies a lesser, the other a greater degree
of offence; that which may be an occasion of grief or of guilt
to our brother.