A comprehensive doxology.
It has often been noticed that the thoughts of the Apostle Paul rushed with such swiftness through his mind that they could scarcely find coherent expression; one seems to follow and to efface that which precedes; and the unity of the whole is with difficulty discernible because of the pressure upon the attention of the several parts. It is so with these closing verses of the Epistle to the Romans; they introduce to the reader's mind so very many subjects, and they contain so many memorable observations, that he is likely to forget that they constitute a doxology. But to the mind of the writer the intention to utter closing words of praise was present and powerful; and the reasons and motives for praise crowded in upon his mind with such rapidity and force that he could hardly bring his Epistle to its conclusion. Let us endeavour to appreciate the comprehensiveness of this great doxology.
I. THIS DOXOLOGY CONTAINS A CELEBRATION OF DIVINE ATTRIBUTES, Three are brought forward, two of them explicitly, and one implicitly, in such a manner as to enhance our conception of God's character, and to summon the Church of Christ to the congenial exercise of lowly and adoring praise.
1. Power.
2. Wisdom.
3. Benevolence.
All these attributes are connected with the gospel which Christians have received, and which is intended for the illumination and salvation of all men. Though benevolence is not mentioned, it is implied in the statements of God's designs of mercy towards all nations, made at the close of verse 26.
II. THIS DOXOLOGY CONTAINS A COMPENDIUM OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.
1. The substance of Christian truth is Contained in the Person and ministry of Jesus Christ.
2. This is represented as a gospel, or glad tidings from God to men.
3. And as a revealed mystery, something which existed in the mind and counsels of God from eternity, which was treated throughout the earlier ages of human history as a secret, concealed beneath promises and types and sacrifices, but only made manifest upon the institution of the new and spiritual kingdom of truth and righteousness.
III. THIS DOXOLOGY CONTAINS A PROMISE OF WORLD-WIDE BLESSINGS TO MAN. The large heart of the great apostle of the Gentiles was in perfect sympathy with the love of God revealed in Christ, and with the vast scheme of human redemption. It is like himself—the unselfish, compassionate, truly heroic nature that he was—that, in closing this Epistle, which has sometimes been misrepresented as teaching the limitation of Divine mercy and the substitution of arbitrariness for pity, St. Paul should thus refer to the glorious future of the kingdom of the Saviour upon earth. He glorified God that the glorious gospel of the blessed God should be published to all nations, that this should be by Divine prediction and by Divine command, and that the purpose of such publication was, not the condemnation of the sons of men, but salvation, as explained in that elevated and truly Christian phrase, "the obedience of faith."
IV. THIS DOXOLOGY IMPLIES A WISH AND PRAYER FOR THE STABILITY IN FAITH AND HOLINESS OF THOSE TO WHOM AND FOR WHOSE BENEFIT THE EPISTLE WAS WRITTEN.
V. THIS DOXOLOGY CONCLUDES THE EPISTLE WITH AN ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE AND HONOUR TO THE ClOD OF ALL GRACE AND SALVATION, The whole treatise is inspired by a reverent and grateful spirit, and is evidently an effort to represent the true moral glory of the Lord of all; and it is appropriate that it should close as it does with ascribing glory, through Jesus Christ, to God the only wise.
HOMILIES BY C.H. IRWIN