The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-11


is very potent. NIP
oHEDD COMMENTARY ON THE ROMANS. Second
notice)
AT first sight it might be supposed that put.
tlhg iorth another commentary on the book of
Romans would be like conveying Goals to New
castle. The reading world, and especially the
Christian and Presbyterian world, was already
and well provided with elaborate, as well as
with plain, expositons of this marvellous epistle ;
In reference to which your correspondent once
heard that extraordinary genius Munsey re-
mark In sermon with customary audacity of
expression that without it Christianity itself
would be failure" 1t is hardly too much to
say, though, of Professor Shedd's venture, that
he has given us the cream of the cream as re-
CARDS the volumes of his predecessors, besides
presenting us with an original and truly valua-
bic Interpretation of his own and that he has
done all this in brief compass and convenient
shape. The principal object had in view was to
promote the critical and doctrinal study of this
important treatise. 1t was intended in the first
instance for theological students and clergymen
but is perfectly adapted also to the needs of cul
tivated readers generally. The Greek text is
incorporated and is exhibited according to the
recension of Lachmann, in preference to that of
the Elzevirs on the one hand, or those of Cries
bach or Tischendorf on the other. Calvin's re-
mark to Simon Grinacus is quoted with approval
and brilliantly exemplifed in the exposition
that the chief excellence of an expounder is
lucid brevity." The notes are uniformly con-
else, though varying somewhat in language to
suit the subject, and are always made to bear
directly upon the word or clause to be explained
There is very little effort after homiletical ex-
pansion, and everything else is subordnated
strictly to the exact line of the apostles reason
ing. At the same time, so the author tells us
in his Introduction, whenever the case re-
CURED it, have not hesitated to enter upon an
analytic, and somewhat exhaustive enucleation
of the meaning" Particular care is devoted to
the doctrine of original sin, in the 9Th chapter;
of indwelling sin, In the 9TH and 9Th chapters
and of the Divine Sovereignty, election, and
retribution, In the 9th, 10TH and 18th chapters.
The commentary thus deals not only with criti-
cism and linguistic matters, but also with theol-
ogy On this last head the great thinkers of
the past have been largely consulted Especially
those shining lights of sound doctrine on the
great points, Augustine. Calvin, and John
Owen. DIR. Shedds opinions have been con-
fessedly influenced to a considerable extent also
by the exposition of David Pareus. who he says
has entirely escaped the notice of such wide
readers as De Wette, Meyer, and Philippi [See
per contra, however, Meyer at viii: 27 The
history of the various views is also given so far
as was possible in brief space. In the citation
of classified names this commentary somewhat
resembles Ryle's Notes on the Gospels but is
otherwise wholly unlike that useful work, being
intended for more select class of readers. The
important lections that differ from the text of
Lachmann are regularly specified, together with
the documents which support them. Only an
Gent authorities are relied upon. In the main
the authors aim has been to place the reader in
position where he should be able to form an
independent judgment of his own. We make
the following extract from the preliminary
pages: "Demosthenes' read Thucydides
over seven times, for the sake of forming that
concise and energetic style which has been the
admiration and the despair of orators Whoever
reads st. Pauls Epistle to the Romans over and
over, not seven times only, but seventy times
seven, will feel an influence as distinct and
definite as that of Leyden jar" He adds that
the arguments of Paul, like the speeches given
by the Greek historian, call for patient ANALYSIS.
" The great characteristic of this episte is the
cIosei'eSs of the reasoning. The line of remark
is confederation like that of chain. arnor. of
which each link hooks directly into the next,
without intervening matter. The process of an
exegete must consequently be somewhat similar
to that by which blind man gets a knowledge
of chain. He must do it by the sense of touch.
He must handle each link separately, and act
ually feel the point of contact with the preced-
ing link, and the succeeding"
1t is impossible within our limits to point out
in detail the character and varied excellence of
the particular interpretations Er paucis disco
on1nsa. The knowing reader almost instinctivelv
turns to the classical places. If there is one
verse that contains in epitome the whole book
OF Romans, it is 1: 16 as expounded by = IL.
We prefer the statement Just made TO the an
thors remark in loco, that verses 16 and II
constitute transition from the preface to the
subject of the Epistle" From the. view-point
Just taken, wa are unavoidably led 10 regard the
comments on verse Is as too much dwarfed and
as not sufficiently penetrating The following
verse has more justice done it. The difficult
phrase ek Pisteos eiS pistin, is handled in a
scholarlike, if not conclusive manner. The
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