Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Book Overview - Romans

by Robert Hawker

THE EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL TO THE ROMANS

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

WE here enter upon the inspired writings of the Apostle. They may well be called inspired; himself was taught by the Holy Ghost, to tell the Church, that God. So that in truth, God the Spirit is the Author, and his Servants are but the Pen-men of all the holy records. And hence we do right, when at any time we make quotations from the Word of God, instead of saying, (as is but too commonly done,) the Apostle, whose name the writing bears, saith thus, or thus: We consider God the Holy Ghost himself the speaker, by his servant, and give the Lord the glory. For this would tend, under God, to keep alive in our remembrance, both the Person and authority of Him that speaks; and cause us to look beyond the words Holy Ghost

here enter upon the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul. They may well be called inspired; for Paul himself was taught by the Holy Ghost, to tell the Church, that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. So that in truth, God the Spirit is the Author, and his Servants are but the Pen-men of all the holy records. And hence we do right, when at any time we make quotations from the Word of God, instead of saying, (as is but too commonly done,) the Apostle, whose name the writing bears, saith thus, or thus: We consider God the Holy Ghost himself the speaker, by his servant, and give the Lord the glory. For this would tend, under God, to keep alive in our remembrance, both the Person and authority of Him that speaks; and cause us to look beyond the words which man's wisdom teacheth, to the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The Epistle to the Romans, is placed first in point of order to all the writings of the Apostle Paul. But this priority is not on account of the time when written, for many of the Epistles which bear his name, were written before it. Perhaps it stands first in the list of Paul's Epistles, partly by reason of its bulk, being larger than all his other writings, and partly on being directed to the Church of the chief city in the Roman Empire.

The persons to whom it is addressed are said to be Romans. By which is meant, not the whole body of the people who lived at Rome; but the Church of God in that place. Paul indeed, declares as much, in the opening of the Epistle, when directing it: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to he saints. It is highly needful, that this should be always kept in view. And, not only in relation to this Epistle of Paul to the Romans, which is now before us, but in all the writings of the servants of the Lord, in their Epistles. And, I take occasion from hence to remark to the Reader, the great importance of the thing itself. For, to the general inattention on this subject, must be ascribed the sad perversion, which is not infrequently made, of particular passages in those holy writings, to wrong purposes. I mean, when the carnal and ungodly make application of certain words and promises found in them to themselves, and the world at large; which, if properly considered, would be found as belonging only to the Lord's people.

The place, and time of writing of this Epistle by may be easily learnt from the date, which is given in the close of it, and from several incidental passages we meet with here and there in the different parts of it. He dates it from And in the last Chapter, he tells the Church at that (that is, the city of . And this is further confirmed, by what the Apostle saith elsewhere, . Moreover, by whom sent this Epistle, is said to be a servant of the Church at a small seaport of the about eight miles from the city, . And, from these particulars, it is no difficult matter to discover the when the Apostle sent it to the Church; perhaps about the year of our Lord God when was on the eve of departure from ee.

and time of writing of this Epistle by Paul, may be easily learnt from the date, which is given in the close of it, and from several incidental passages we meet with here and there in the different parts of it. He dates it from Corinth. And in the last Chapter, he tells the Church at Rome, that Gaius, his host, and Erasius, the chamberlain of the city, (that is, the city of Corinth,) sent their salutations to the Church, Romans 16:23. And this is further confirmed, by what the Apostle saith elsewhere, 1혻Corinthians 1:14; Acts 18:8. Moreover, Phoebe, by whom Paul sent this Epistle, is said to be a servant of the Church at Cenchrea, a small seaport of the Corinthians, about eight miles from the city, Romans 16:1-2. And, from these particulars, it is no difficult matter to discover the time when the Apostle sent it to the Church; perhaps about the year of our Lord God 57, when Paul was on the eve of departure from Corinth, see Acts 20:2-3.

But the most important point to be attended to, in these general observations, by way of introduction to the Epistle, is the enquiry, what was the great and leading object God the Holy Ghost might be supposed to have in view, in sending so blessed a portion of his holy word to the Church. And this, be it spoken to the Lord's glory, and the Church's happiness, is as plain and evident as if written with a sun-beam. The one chief doctrine taught in it to the Church, is the method of the sinner's acceptance before God, of justification alone, through faith, by the Lord Jesus Christ. This glorious truth runs through the whole Epistle, like one continued golden chain, linked together in all its bearings, and may be seen, more or less, in every Chapter. And the doctrine is set forth in such plain and clear terms, as if God the Spirit had determined, for the Church's happiness, that no possible mistake should arise, in the minds of any of his people, when taught of Him, on a point of such infinite consequence. Hence he shews, that this method of God's own providing of justification, in and by the Lord Jesus Christ, is totally distinguished from, and wholly unconnected with the law, either in whole, or in part: and, that an obedience to the precepts of the law, hath not the smallest share in contributing to the merciful design of Jehovah, in this plan of salvation. All is the result of free sovereign grace. Christ is here set forth as the One ordinance of heaven. Salvation is shewn to be in no other. Christ is the sole cause. And, even the sweet and precious influences of God the Holy Ghost, which manifest themselves in the hearts and lives of the redeemed, are shewn to be the blessed effects, and not in part the cause, of justification. The leading tenor and language of this blessed Epistle, runs, through the whole of it, to this effect; being justified freely by the grace of God, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:24.