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The Corinthians were exhorted to see to it that they "received not the grace of God in
vain" (II Cor. 6: 1). The Colossians are referred to not merely as knowing the grace of
God, but of knowing it "in truth" (Col. 1: 6). We also read in Titus of:--
"The grace of God that bringeth salvation . . . . . teaching us that, denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live . . . . . looking for that blessed hope . . . . . zealous of
good works" (Titus 2: 11-14).
Such is the true interpretation of the grace of God. While any attempt to be "justified
by the law" is intolerable to the conception of grace (Gal. 5: 4), so also is the slightest
abuse of the freedom that grace implies and brings. It is to set both matters right that
Rom. 6: and 7: were written. May we be apt scholars, neither barren nor unfruitful in
the knowledge of Christ, and while we yield to none in our testimony of the fullness, the
freeness, and the sovereignty of the grace of God, we must equally testify that this grace
which has saved us teaches us to walk in newness of life, and to serve in newness of
spirit.
#46. Romans 6: 16 - 7: 6.
Two illustrations: master and husband.
pp. 63 - 66
In our last article we compared the opening section of Rom. 6: with the second
section, 6: 15 - 7: 6, and learned something of their relation one with other. We also
considered something of the teaching of Scripture as to the possibility of receiving the
grace of God in vain.
Before going further into the teaching of this new section, we must stop in order to
discover its scope--what it is all about; and this we do by noting its structure, the
disposition of its subject-matter, and the correspondence of its parts.
Romans 6: 16 - 7: 6.
Specially to Gentiles. "I speak humanly." |
A | 6: 16. Know ye not? (oida, "perceive").
B | 6: 16, 17. The Figure. Bond-slave.
C | 6: 18. The Freedom. "Made free from sin."
D | 6: 19-22. The Fruit. "Unto shame"; "unto holiness".
E | 6: 23. Wages 5: Gift (Death 5: Life).
Specially to Jews. "I speak to them that acknowledge the law." |
A | 7: 1. Know ye not? (agnoeo, "acknowledge").
B | 7: 2, 3. The Figure. A Wife.
C | 7: 3. The Freedom. "Free from the law."
D | 7: 4, 5. The Fruit. "Unto God"; "unto death".
E | 7: 6. Newness of spirit 5: Oldness of letter
(i.e., the letter killeth, the spirit giveth life).