Introduction:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Introduction to Romans
The Epistle to the Romans is well placed at the head of all the others, as
laying the foundations, in a systematic way, of the relations of man with
God; reconciling at the same time this universal truth of man's position,
first in responsibility, and secondly in grace, with the special promises
made to the Jews. It also establishes the great principles of christian
practice, the morality, not of man, but that which is the fruit of the
light and revelation given by Christianity. It is important to see that it
always views the Christian as in this world. He is justified and has life
in Christ, but is here, and not viewed as risen with Him.
The following is, I believe, the arrangement of the epistle. After some
introductory verses, which open his subject, several of which are of the
deepest importance and furnish the key to the whole teaching of the epistle
and man's real state with God (chap. 1:1-17), the apostle (to the end of
chap. 3:20) [
1]
shews man to be utterly corrupt and lost, in all the circumstances in which
he stands. Without law, it was unbridled sin; with philosophy, it was
judging evil and committing it; under law, it was breaking the law, while
boasting of its possession, and dishonouring the name of Him with whose
glory those who possessed it were (so to say) identified, by having
received from Him that law as His people. From chapter 3:21 to the end of
chapter 8 we find the remedy plainly set forth in two parts. In chapter 3:
21 to the end of the chapter, in a general way, through faith the blood of
Christ is the answer to all the sin which the apostle has just been
describing; afterwards, in chapter 4, resurrection, the seal of Christ's
work, and the witness of its efficacy for our justification. All this meets
the responsibility of the child of Adam, which the law only aggravated,
according to the full grace unfolded in chapter 5:1-11. But in chapter 8
they are assumed to be in Christ who is on high, placing him who had part
in it (that is, every believer) in a new position before God in Christ, who
thus gave him liberty and life-the liberty in which Christ Himself was, and
the life which He Himself lived. It is this last which inseparably unites
justification and holiness in life.
But there is connected with this another point, which gives occasion to
notice a division yet more important of the subjects of the epistle. From
chapter 3:21 to the end of verse 11 of chapter 5, the apostle treats the
subject of our sins-individual guilt is met by the blood of Christ who (in
chap. 4), delivered for our offences, is raised for our justification. But
from chapter 5:12 the question of sin is treated-not a future judgment
met, but deliverance from a present state. [
2]
One ends in the blessing of chapter 5:1-11, the other in that of chapter 8.
In chapters 9-11 the apostle reconciles these truths of the same salvation,
common to every believing man without distinction, with the promise made to
the Jews, bringing out the marvellous wisdom of God, and the way in which
these things were foreseen, and revealed in the word.
He afterwards sets forth (in chap. 12 et seqq.) the practical christian
spirit. In this last part, he alludes to the assembly as a body. Otherwise,
it is in general man, the individual, before a God of righteousness; and
the work of Christ, which places him there individually in peace. For the
same reason, save in one passage in chapter 8 to bring in intercession, the
ascension is not spoken of in Romans. It treats of death, and Christ's
resurrection as the ground of a new status for man before God. [
3]
Let us now examine the line of thought given by the Holy Ghost in
this epistle. We find in it the answer to the solemn question of Job, angry
at finding himself without resource in the presence of the judgment of God:
"I know it is so of a truth, but how should man be just with God?" Nevertheless that is not the first thought which presents itself to the
apostle. That is man's necessity; but the gospel comes first revealing and
bringing Christ. It is grace and Jesus which it brings in its hands; it
speaks of God in love. This awakens the sense of need, [
4]
while bringing that which meets it; and gives its measure in the grace that
sets before us all the fulness of the love of God in Christ. It is a
revelation of God in the Person of Christ. It puts man in his place before
God, in the presence of Him who is revealed-both in himself, and in grace
in Christ. All the promises are also accomplished in the Person of Him who
is revealed. But it is important to note that it begins with the Person of
Christ, not forgiveness or righteousness, though this is fully developed
afterwards from verse 17.
[
1] After the introduction till the end of chapter 3 we find the evil,
and the remedy which God has granted in the blood of Jesus Christ: and
afterwards, in chapter 4, the resurrection of Christ (after being delivered
for our offences) for our justification, and thus peace with God, our
present standing in favour, and hope of glory, with all its blessed
consequences in the love of God. Abraham and David, the great roots of
promise, confirmed this principle of grace and justification without works.
This part closes with chapter 5: 11, which divides the epistle into two
distinct parts, as to its main doctrine of justification, and our standing
before God. Of this farther on.
[
2] This, while the subject is sin in the flesh and death to it, involves
the question of law-the means of discovering it when its spirituality is
known.
[
3] See what has just been said on the division at chapter 5: 11, and the
fuller development of the division of the epistle farther on.
[
4] The heart and the conscience are both brought in. Law can shew man's
guilt, and even, when spiritually known, man's ruined state, to the
conscience; a sense of need proves that the heart also is brought into
action.
Introduction:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
This version of Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1995 by L. Hodgett. Used by permission. This material may be freely copied for private use or for distribution without charge but must not be used commercially without written permission from the compiler--L. Hodgett. A special thanks to L. Hodgett for permission to create and post this version of Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
