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| | *I. The Preface, Romans 1:1-17. | | *I. The Preface, Romans 1:1-17. |
| | *II. The Tractation, or setting forth of the main subject, including two sections: | | *II. The Tractation, or setting forth of the main subject, including two sections: |
| − | *1. Dogmatic, or what relates to doctrine. | + | *1. Dogmatic, or what relates to [[doctrine]]. |
| | *2. Paraenetic, or what relates to the necessity and importance of the virtues and duties of the Christian life. | | *2. Paraenetic, or what relates to the necessity and importance of the virtues and duties of the Christian life. |
| | [[File:Hans Speckaert - Conversion of St Paul on the Road to Damascus.jpg|thumbnail|400px|left|Conversion of St Paul on the Road to Damascus (Painting by Hans Speckaert). ]] | | [[File:Hans Speckaert - Conversion of St Paul on the Road to Damascus.jpg|thumbnail|400px|left|Conversion of St Paul on the Road to Damascus (Painting by Hans Speckaert). ]] |
| | The [[dogma]]tic part is included in the first eleven chapters, the grand object of which is to show that eternal salvation cannot be procured by any observance of the Jewish law, and can be hoped for only on the Christian scheme; for by the works of the law no man can be justified; but what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God has accomplished by sending his Son into the world, who, becoming an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. The paraenetic part commences with Rom. 12:1 : I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, etc.; and extends to Rom. 15:14. | | The [[dogma]]tic part is included in the first eleven chapters, the grand object of which is to show that eternal salvation cannot be procured by any observance of the Jewish law, and can be hoped for only on the Christian scheme; for by the works of the law no man can be justified; but what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God has accomplished by sending his Son into the world, who, becoming an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. The paraenetic part commences with Rom. 12:1 : I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, etc.; and extends to Rom. 15:14. |
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| − | Dr. Paley, with his usual perspicuity, has shown that the principal object of the argumentative part of the epistle is “to place the Gentile convert upon a parity of situation with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favor.” | + | Dr. Paley, with his usual perspicuity, has shown that the principal object of the argumentative part of the epistle is “to place the Gentile convert upon a parity of situation with the Jewish, in respect of his [[Religion|religious]] condition, and his rank in the Divine favor.” |
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| | III. The peroration or epilogue, which contains the author's apology for writing; his commendation of his apostolical office; his promise to visit them; his request of an interest in their prayers; his commendations of certain persons, and his salutations to others. These points are contained in the succeeding parts of the epistle, from Rom. 15:14 to Rom. 16:24.<ref>Adam Clarke, ibid.</ref> | | III. The peroration or epilogue, which contains the author's apology for writing; his commendation of his apostolical office; his promise to visit them; his request of an interest in their prayers; his commendations of certain persons, and his salutations to others. These points are contained in the succeeding parts of the epistle, from Rom. 15:14 to Rom. 16:24.<ref>Adam Clarke, ibid.</ref> |
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| | An additional commentary overview explains that, | | An additional commentary overview explains that, |
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| − | The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the idolatrous Gentile; and to show the Gentile convert as equal with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favour. These several designs are brought into on view, by opposing or arguing with the infidel or unbelieving Jew, in favour of the Christian or believing Gentile. The way of a sinner's acceptance with God, or justification in his sight, merely by grace, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, without distinction of nations, is plainly stated. This doctrine is cleared from the objections raised by Judaizing Christians, who were for making terms of acceptance with God by a mixture of the law and the gospel, and for shutting out the Gentiles from any share in the blessings of salvation brought in by the Messiah. In the conclusion, holiness is further enforced by practical exhortations.<ref>Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Romans</ref> | + | The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the idolatrous Gentile; and to show the [[Gentile]] convert as equal with the [[Jew]]ish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favour. These several designs are brought into on view, by opposing or arguing with the infidel or unbelieving Jew, in favour of the Christian or believing Gentile. The way of a sinner's acceptance with God, or justification in his sight, merely by grace, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, without distinction of nations, is plainly stated. This doctrine is cleared from the objections raised by Judaizing Christians, who were for making terms of acceptance with God by a mixture of the law and the gospel, and for shutting out the Gentiles from any share in the blessings of salvation brought in by the Messiah. In the conclusion, holiness is further enforced by practical exhortations.<ref>Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Romans</ref> |
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| | ==Controversy== | | ==Controversy== |