 |  |
RECONCILIATION AND FAILURE OF THE LAW115
We find the apostle as an ambassador in 5:20 :
`As if God were beseeching through us, we entreat on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God' (Author's
translation).
This is the other phase of the truth that makes a complete presentation. Adam's one offence involving all is
taken away. No longer is there a barrier between man and God, but, as Romans 5 shows, the reconciliation made by
Christ must be `received' (Rom. 5:11-17), and further, salvation is spoken of as being `much more', and connected
with `His life'. There is but one company that will fail of the fruits of the reconciliation; they are those whose names
are not found written in the book of life. Who, and how many there will be is not for us to know, but the question is
illuminated by the study of the two seeds, the one the seed of God, the other the seed of Satan. This is too vast a
theme for present consideration; we mention it here, however, for the benefit of any who would profit by its
investigation.
Christ stands at the head of a new creation. `If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature'. The world is
reconciled, but the world is not a new creation. Those who receive the reconciliation become such, and are a kind of
firstfruits of the harvest yet to be. For this the apostle laboured and suffered, suffered as few ever have suffered.
His `commendation' (margin) is given in 6:4-10. The great defence of his apostleship which occupies chapters 11
and 12 was forced upon him by those who traduced the minister in order to belittle the ministry. The narrow limits
of Judaistic Christianity could not hold the glorious message which ignored national distinctions and went back to
the common father of all, Adam. Christ is seen also, not merely as David's greater Son, or Israel's Messiah, but the
Son of Abraham in blessing for the Gentiles, and the Image of God as the Head of the race.
We conclude this very brief account of a wondrous passage with the structure of the epistle as a whole in order
that, if brief, our survey may not be without some approach to completeness.
2 Corinthians
The epistle as a whole
A 1:1,2.
Introduction. Salutation.
B a 1:3-11.
Thanksgiving for comfort in affliction.
b 1:12.
The apostle's manner of life.
C 1:13 to 2:13.
Subject of writing. Visit. Vindication. No rest in spirit. Macedonia.
B a 2:14-16.
Thanksgiving for triumph in affliction.
b 2:17 to 7:4. The apostle's ministry.
C 7:5 to 13:10.
Subject of writing. Visit. Vindication. No rest in spirit. Macedonia.
A 13:11-14. Conclusion. Benediction.
CHAPTER 14
The Epistle to the Romans
SECTION 1
Reconciliation and Failure of the law.
In our studies so far we have traced the themes of the earlier epistles in broad outline only. We have observed
how large a bulk is occupied with the apostle's fight for the recognition of his apostleship and gospel. The ministry
of the reconciliation found many foes, for it struck deeply into the national pride of the circumcision. The epistles to
the Galatians, Thessalonians and Corinthians were addressed to churches which had been founded and visited by the
apostle. These epistles necessarily abound in matters either personal to the apostle, or to the churches. While the
principles contained in the apostle's answers remain for our guidance, many of the portions to the Corinthians, for
example, have ceased to be our immediate concern.