The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-10-05
INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION.
| The Epistle to the Romans is . grand store
| house of Christian doctrine, history and re-
| ligious experience.
| Roden Noel. in Light Of London, referring TO
| those Epistles of St. Paul as to which the most
| critical scholars make no dispute in regard TO
| their genuineuess, says:
| Now these must have been written, at the
| latest, 2S years after the crucifxion of Jesus.
And from the illusions in them to most OF the
| important events recorded in the Gospels as
notorious and generally-received facts, we may
conclude that these narratives fairly accu-
rate in their relations. Moreover, it is evident
from these Epistles that very much the same
doctrinal beliefs concerning Christ obtained
among His Disciples at that early time as havo
obtained among them since. Yet surely had
these narratives been spiritual parallels, or
myths only, they could hardly have got them
selves generally received as sober fact within
so short time after the alleged events, while
a multitude OF contemporaries were still living
10 correct the mistake. And the difficulty that
these wonderful spiritual parables-which have
so imposed on mankind, aud changed the course
of history-must have been invented for the
most part by more or less illiterate Galileans,
Mr.. Maitland meets by ascribing them rather
to learned Alexandrian Jews. But how to rec
oncile this view with the admitted authentic
ity of some of St. Paal's Epistles2 We know
from Pliny Tacitus and other heather writers,
that about A. d. 60 Jesus Christ WAS already
adored and reverenced by His followers as
Divine"
Elizabeth Mary Sewell u. 1872 wrote in
History of the Early Church.: "The Epistle
to the Romans was given in charge to Phebe,
Christian lady residing at Cenchres, the eastern
point of Corinth Qsthmus), and who was then
about to sail to Rome upon some private busi-
ness supposed, from the terms made use of in
referring to it, to have been connected with
lawsuit in which she was engaged"
The fact she probably went on legal bust
ness is inferred from the use of the Greek word
rendered in Ro., 16: 2, assist is a forensic word.
The word for succourer is from the same Greek
root This seems drawing differences from
pathological data with considerable freedom,
and vet Cony beare and Howson note: From
the use of the legal terms pdrastdte and pro
statis it would seem that the business on which
Phebe was visiting Rome was connected with
some trial at law"
ROMANS. 5: lilo.
Preliminary.
In general way we may say that chapter
of the Epistle to the Romans shows the guilt
ness of the Gentiles
Chapter 2. the outlines of the Jews also.
Chapter 3, that both can be forgiven through
faith in Christ.
Chapter 4, the plan of salvation is uniform
for Abraham and u.s.
Chapter 5, the good consequences enjoyed by
those who accept of Ohrist's help.
Notes.
/. Therefore l. ,Bengel Bishop Vincent,
DR.. Pepper refer this back TO 4: % IS. Others
connect it with justified by faith. i. The
first view would teach that by the imputation to
us of Christ's righteousness we are justified.
The second view teaches that, because we are
justified by faith we have peace.
q Justified. l. Tojnstfy is to make right
eous, holy, just. We are not justified in our
former course of sin. Forgiven, we are treated
as though we had not sinned, so far as regards
punishment. Only our repentance for sin and
our resolve to be righteous can justify our be-
ing treated as though we are just. Forgive
the past, and yet its force lies in the
fact set in mind, to reform as to the en-
tire future.
Justified by his blood. g. By exercising
faith in the utility of his death.
See Ps.. 143: q; Ro, 3: 19, 90.
1t is said the keynote of the Reformation was
the fact Luther. coming books in his monastic
cell, took down an old, dusty volume and
CHANGED to turn to Heb, "a.
God is the Author of our justification. Ro,
1913. It comes TO US in Christ's name. l Cor,
6: IL. Its Agent, Operator is the Holy Spirit
the effective Causer.
The instrumental cause is faith. Gen., Is: 6;
Ro. / II; 1928; Phil, 3:9.
1t is promised. Ps, 100: 4, 8; Isa, 55:7;
John, 80
1t is a blessed experience. Ps., 32:1,2
3. By faith. 1. By reason of exercising
faith in Christ. Faith in itself is not avail
able. Many ancient authorities omit "by
faith" IN " 2. So Tischendorf and Afford.
The access is real.
4. Peace. /. Quietness of conscience sense
Of forgiveness. friendship of the Prince of
Peace, peacefnlness of mind, harmony with
society, oneness with Gods will and purposes,
no Righteousness to the divine government.
peace like river flowing on gently and
quietly, peace for life and death. II have
pain" said dying Baxter; there is no arguing
against sense; but have peace"
Isa., &c: 3.
st. Francis de Sales wrote: Strive every
where and in all things TO be at peace II
trouble comes from within without, treat it
peacefully. Ifjoy comes, receive it peacefully,
without excitement. If we must needs fee
from evil. let us do it calmly, without agita-
ton, or we may stumble and fall in our haste.
Let US do good peacefully, or cur hurry will
lead US into endless faults. Even repentance
is work which should be carried on peace
fully"
5. Access. q Eph., 2: ID: 8: l2. Christ is
the Door. St. john 10:9 Christ is the Way.
st. John, Il: 6. Conybeare and Howson render
entrance"
6. Grace. 2. Reconciliation with God-tbe
greatest favor possible for one who has dis
obeyed God.
z. Stand. q This refers to firmness-not to
fxedness. The Christian life is not standstll.
The saints must persevere; not yield too readily
to discouragement-not wayer-not be double
faced. We can stand because we have firm
Foundation. Christ is our Cornerstone. Enc
mics cannot overcome u.s. for all together they
are strengthless compared with Christ
8. With. V. !. Peace with God" means
peace toward, as to- as regards God.
n,n;, 4, Oh +.
Greek as glory" in V. 3, and the idea 10 ex-
ultation in good cause.
10. Hope. 2. This carries idea of expecta-
ton.
IL. Tribulation. 3. The original meaning
of the verb in Greek (thlibo) is to press then,
to oprress; hence, to affiict. distress. The word
tribnlation refers primarily, to the thrashing
of grain. Through tribulation God would sift
from us all impurities. This idea goes all
through poem by George Wither:
Till from the straw the fail The corn doth beat,
Until the chaf be purged from the wheat,
Yea, till the mill the a,rans In pieces tear
The rscsness OF the -four will scarce appear.
So till mems persons great affi ictions touch
III worth he found, their worth IL not much,