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As we said above, an exposition here is impossible. It is essential to distinguish
between the "many" and the "all", this we must reserve until later. Rom. 6:, 7:, & 8:
follow and preach Christ in this connection in relation to the dominion of SIN, LAW and
DEATH. It is this inner section of Rom. 5: 12 - 8: 39 which is the basis of the gospel
for to-day, and "Who is sufficient for these things?"
How many "Evangelists" would give a series of gospel addresses on these pages? The
Prodigal Son, John 3: 16, and similar scriptures written for other times are deemed
all-sufficient.
The world to-day is thinking in terms of "Humanity", but the gospel for to-day reveals
the utter failure of all mankind, and the new Headship of Christ. This gospel is the
gospel of the new creation. All men by nature are "in Adam"; Christ is revealed as the
"last Adam" and the "second Man". The gospel reveals the way whereby man may be
taken out of the natural sphere of sin and death into the sphere of life and righteousness.
The "no condemnation" of Rom. 8: 1 looks back to 5: 16-18.
There is one element which is very prominent in Romans and Galatians which does
not need so prominent a place now, and that is the various things said regarding "the
law". "For we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are
UNDER THE LAW" (Rom. 2: 19). "The Gentiles have NOT the law" (Rom. 2: 14). Of
course, where any may be found to have a tendency of legalism, then these passages will
be needful.
When the gospel has been believed, and becomes "the word of truth, the gospel of
their salvation" (Eph. 1: 13), it is followed by the "mystery of the gospel" (Eph. 6: 19)
which structurally balances the "mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3: 3), as also in the remoter
context of Col. 4: 3. In the inner teaching of Romans (5: 12 - 8: 39) the believer is
spoken of as dying with Christ, and being buried with Christ, and being raised again with
Christ. This is the gospel which leads up to THE Mystery of Ephesians, for there the top
stone is added, "seated together with Christ" (Eph. 2: 6). Further, the threefold equality
of Eph. 3: 6, 7 is a part of the gospel, as also the peace which accompanies the "one
new man" (2: 14-17). The gospel for to-day is essentially a preparation for the mystery
and its peace--"Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (6: 15).
We believe that God blesses the faithful preaching of His Word whether it have as its
goal Christ as King, Bridegroom, Last Adam, or Head, but those who rejoice in the
"revelation of the mystery", who know the final revelation of the "mystery of Christ" and
are members of "the Church which is His body", such will preach that gospel which,
while it saves from sin and its consequences, leads to Christ as Head over all things to the
Church, and to the heavenly places far above all.