The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-05-27
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments
Fer MAY 81.
Su5ej:.: Th. Liz ,.hI spirit, Ron. viil., ia
--Goldsn Text, Rom vii. AN, m)ry
Verse, l. Co alaentsry on the DnI's
Lessen.

'essc, l. W Hi"sutsry oh the Dug
Lessen.
I. Freedom from sin through Christ Tvs
1.5). l. Therefore" This refers to the
whole previous argument, and especially to
the previous chapter. The apostle has
shown in the previous chapter that the law
could not affect deliverance from sin, but
that such deliverance was to be traced to
the gospel alone. Now" The last chap,
ter closed with an account of the deep dis.
tress OF the penitent; this one opens with
an account of his salvation. The nov" in
the text refers to the happy transition from
darkness to light. from condemnation to
pardon, which this believer now enjoys.
mo condemnation" As condemnation is
the result of disohedience this clearly i'm.
plies that. the, believer can. live without
transgressing the law of God-he may live
free. from sin. 'In Christ Jesus" The
whole previous. argument of the epistles
makes it plain that those who arc in Christ
are those who have been justified through
faith (chap.. 5: y.
established by recognized authority to en-.
force justice and direct duty. The word
law here means that rule, command or in.
huenoe which the Spirit of life" produces
Esprit of life" The close argument fol-
lowing implies that the Spirit of life here
is, the same as the Spirit of God and of
no other than the Holy Spirit in chapter
8: 5. He is the Spirit of life, for all life
springs from Him. The Holy Spirit is the
Spirit OF life because He leads the soul to
escape the sentence of death, and then
"snimates "a it with the energies Of the new
| the meritorious cause of justification. the
head OF the justified and the giver OF the
| Spirit. The meaning is that deliverancc
from sin and death is by faith in Christ,
through the medium of the Holy Spirit.
Free Liberated from the bondage
is not a partial deliverance but freedom
death" Sin and death are partners OF one
throne and issue one law. To obey sin is
to walk in a path marked out by death.
8. The Law The law of Mosses-the
otherwise defined. Weak" The law was
powerless to deliver from sin or to produce
holiness. It could not secure its own fulfil
ment. "The flesh" The term flesh has
several different signifcatons In this in
STANCE it has reference to mans corrupt
tto'Christ's birth and plainly implies that
Christ was Gods Gown Son" before He
was sent.-that is. bsfore He became incnr-
nate. I'm the likeness" etc. That is, He
took upon Himself a human body, similar
to ours, but not controlled by sin. In Him
| WAS no SIN. nc was mdu" OF our UeSn IN
the likeness OF its sinful condition: And
for sim" "As an offering for sim X. V.
CONDEMNED SIM" Proclaimed its down.
fall in the human heart. Christ came to
destroy the works Of the devil. Through
the atonement man may be saved from sin.
4,5. The righteousness" The demands
of Gods righteous law which could not be
met by Us when We followed the evil in
clinations OF a corrupt, sinful nature are
now fulfilled in us who live and act as the
Spirit guides. ''Flash-Spirit" Men must
be under the predominating influence of
one or the other of these two principles,
and according ag the one or the othe: has
the mastery will be the complexion of the
life and character OF the actions" An evil
tree brings forth evil fruit and a gosd tree
brings forth good fruit.
III. The carnal and spiritual contrasted
Tvs. 6,S). 6. ."Carnally minded To al
low the carnal or corrupt nature to gain
led by it: "Is death" Not will lead to
DEATH" but ''is death" Such course
not only ends in eternal death, but those
who are carnally minded are dead already
spiritually, dead; they, are dead while
they live Il Tim. 5: G; Eph. 2: !, 81. But,
etc. On the other hand to follow the lead.
ings. of the Spirit and cultivate the graces
of the Spirit sis life and peace"-is the de-
sign OF our existence and the only true
path of happiness
u .. Is cnmlty. ms Is stated as \
reason why "the mind of the flesh is
death" ", g.: it. is opposed to God and
hates God "Neither-can be-" This is
absolutely certain, because it is a carnal
mind and relishes earthly and sinful things
and and lives lives in open rebellion against God.
enmity against, God; therefore they that
are in the hesh'-those who are led and
controlled by the dictates OF their corrupt,
fleshly nature, cannot please God" and
consequently are doomed to eternal death.
III. The condition of those who follow
gives the picture Of the regenerate state.
"The Spirit" The Spirit, the Spirit of
God, and the Spirit of Christ are merely
different expressions for the Holy Spirit,
the third person OF the Trinity. Dwell in
you The Holy Spirit is often spoken OF
See 2 Cor. o.: l6; Gal. A: Q. Thi, is more
than good influence or disposition; it is
the actual and personal indwelling OF the
Holy Ghost, producing all the fruits OF the
Spirit (Gal. 5: %, .23l, and leading into all
truth. None of his" This is the supreme
test by which we may know that we have
passed from death unto life: loud profes-
sions, the ordinances, zeal for the cause
many prayers, generosity-none OF these
can save us.
10. Body is dead" There are variety
OF opinions as TO the. meaning of verses lO
anu IL luC lIplu lpttb HtSllS
quite clear: because of Adams sin the
body of those in whom Christ dwells is
dead, that is. is prey of worms and cor
ruption, but because of the righteousness
which is through Christ and through faith
the spirit which animates that mortal body
possesses undying life."
IL. "But IT," etc. Barnes thinks this
verse does not refer to the resurrection Of
the dead. But Others think tho reference
is to the resurrection. Quicken" Make
alive. The reference is to the resurrection
day.
i2-l4. Debtors" We are debtors t.
the Spirit, but to the flesh we owe moth
ing. We disown its unrighteous claims
"Shall die" If you live to indulge YOU
carnal propensities you will sink tc .eteyna
death. "Mortify" 'Put to death, destroy
Sin is mortified when its power is de
stroyed and it ceases to be active" "Deed
of the body" The corrupt inclinationi
and passions, called deeds c: the body be
, cause they are supposed to have their ori
gin in the heshly appetites. "Shall live.
, Shall be saved. Either your sins must di
or you must. No man can be saved in hi
sins. Lied" Submit to his influence AM
control. "Sons of God" Children Of God
This expression is often applied to Chris