Ceredo Advance

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for October 15, 1893.
Justification by Faith—Romans 5:1-11.
[Specially Arranged from Peloubet's Notes.]
Golden Text.—While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.—Rom. 5:8.
The Course of Thought.—Thus far St. Paul has established (1) the need of justification; and (2) its equal terms for Jews and Gentiles; and (3) that faith in Christ's blood is its one appointed condition. And (4) in Abraham's case he has illustrated the nature and actings of faith. Now he is to deal with the effects of faith in life and character. Cambridge Bible. He begins with chapter 5 (5:1-11), but (5) before he completes this picture he illustrates (5:12-21) the abounding grace which reigns "through righteousness unto eternal life." Then (6,7) he shows under several figures or symbols how the redemption in Christ leads to holiness. It is death to sin, but resurrection to righteousness (6:1-14). It is deliverance from slavery into the glorious liberty of the children of God (6:15-23). It is divorce from sin and marriage to Christ (7:1-6). (7): Then follows a description of the battle of life. The conflict is a life conflict. It belongs neither to regenerate nor unregenerate nature: but to nature. Paul portrays it again in the third chapter of Philippians: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. This is the life struggle of the Christian. Not till the water of the river of death laves the feet of the entering disciple can he say, 'I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course.'"—Abbott.
(8) "The eighth chapter of Romans is not victory after battle, it is hope and courage and faith in battle: it is a portrayal of the spirit in which this battle is to be fought." But in it are many foregleams of victory, and the blessedness that victory shall bestow, many Pisgah visions of the promised land.
LESSON NOTES.
Peace with God.—Ver. 1. After all the gloomy retrospect which fills the preceding chapters, the clouds break, and light steals gently over the scene. Nor is it merely the subsidence of storm, but an ardent and eager hope that now awakens, and looks forward to a glorious future. 1. "Therefore being justified by faith:" Acquitted, pardoned, received into God's favor, and with a holy nature implanted in us. "We have peace with God:" We are in a state of peace and reconciliation with God: the antagonism was removed when we were justified. The next step after justification is peace. "Peace with God:" Not "peace from God" (1:7), nor peace of God, but a new relation to God: "Through our Lord Jesus Christ:" This full form gives a tone of triumph to the verse.
Hope of the Glory of God.—2. "By whom also we have access:" This word sometimes signifies the act of bringing, or introducing. But the word has also sometimes an intransitive meaning; the right of entering, access. This latter meaning is preferable. The same mediator who gives us peace is the one who brought us "into this grace," as friends and children, "wherein we stand." "And rejoice in the hope of the glory of God:" The glorious state which God Himself possesses, and into which He will admit the faithful.
Discipline and its Fruits.—3. "And not only so:" but what is still more wonderful, the salvation of Jesus transfigures even our trials and suffering into life and hope and character. "We glory in tribulations also:" This word, tribulation, both the English and the Latin equivalent of the Greek, is derived from the Latin "tribulum," which was the threshing instrument, or roller, whereby the Roman husbandman separated the corn from the husks: and "tribulatio" in its primary significance was the act of this separation.
The Love of God.—5. "For introducing the proof of the greatness and the freeness of God's love. "When we were yet without strength:" Unable to save ourselves because of sin. "In due time:" At the right moment. The best time in all the ages for the accomplishing of His work. "Christ died for the ungodly:" sinners "without God in the world," opposed to God, His enemies.
7. "For scarcely:" This infrequent word expresses the great difficulty of the case, as we might say: "It would be very hard to find a man who would do this." "For a righteous man... a good man." The difference between the words righteous and good is that which in common usage is made between just and kind. "A righteous man," fulfilling all just demands, calls forth respect and admiration: but "the good man," himself prompted by love, evokes our love, and for him some one would even dare to die.
Salvation from Wrath.—9. "Much more then:" If the greater benefit has been bestowed, the less will not be withheld. "Being now justified by His blood:" When the blood of Christ is spoken of in the New Testament, it means the offering of His life as a sacrifice, or His death as an expiation. "He shall be saved from wrath:" The wrath of God. His indignation against sin, and the punishment which He must inflict.
Salvation to Holiness by an Ever Present Living Saviour.—10. "We were reconciled to God:" This expresses the changed relation to God and man effected through Christ. "We shall be saved by His life:" or in His life. By participation in His life, by the life He bestows, and which we live in and through Him, as the branch lives by the life of the vine.
Joy In God.—11. "And not only so:" There are greater blessings than the mere fact of being saved. Once saved there come vision upon vision of blessings unfolded within that salvation, as when we climb a mountain, at each stage of ascent we have a wider and more glorious view than was possible at the lower stations. "But we also joy in God:" Rejoice, glory, triumph, in God. God's salvation is full of joy.