St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans: A Practical Exposition. Vol. II

In Short

This volume serves as the concluding half of a detailed, accessible commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. It bridges two worlds: the high-stakes theological arguments regarding God’s relationship with Israel and the Gentiles, and the grounded, ethical instructions for how early Christians should treat one another. By explaining Paul’s nuanced views on divine election, conscience, and social duty, the work provides a bridge for readers to understand how a first-century religious text continues to shape the identity and moral framework of a community.

The Story

The progression begins with a profound, often troubling question: If the promise of God was given to Israel, does the current rejection of that people signal a divine failure? The argument navigates through this by dismantling the idea that physical descent—being "Israel after the flesh"—is the sole criterion for being the people of God. By tracing the history of Abraham’s lineage, the text argues that God has always exercised an "inscrutable principle of selection," choosing Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. This establishes that membership in God’s family has never been a birthright, but a matter of grace and faith.

As the narrative shifts to the present, it addresses the "stumbling" of Israel. The argument maintains that the rejection of the Gospel by many Israelites was not an ultimate or final disaster, but a necessary turning point. It posits that the "loss" of Israel became the "riches of the Gentiles," serving as a strategic move to provoke a holy jealousy that might eventually bring the original people back into the fold. This is not a story of abandonment, but one of a complex, unfolding divine plan where mercy is extended beyond the original boundaries of the covenant.

Having established this theological bedrock, the focus shifts entirely to the "practical exhortation." The argument transitions from the heavens to the home and the marketplace. It demands that the reader view their own life as a potential "living sacrifice," a surrender that manifests in humility and service. The discussion moves into the life of the community: how to navigate the relationship between Christians and the imperial power, the meaning of being a neighbor, and the necessity of mutual toleration.

The arc concludes with a call for inclusivity. The "strong"—those with clear convictions and liberated consciences—are instructed to bear the burdens of the "weak," whose scruples regarding food or ritual might be restrictive. The story ends on a note of unity; the goal is not to force one another into uniformity, but to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can stand before God. The final reflections emphasize that the entire Christian life is an imitation of Christ, who lived and died precisely to be the Lord of all, ensuring that no one is left to judge their brother, because each person must eventually answer to God alone.

How It Unfolds

The problem of the promise The argument addresses the crisis of Israel’s rejection, asserting that God’s word remains faithful despite appearances. It reframes the history of the patriarchs to show that God’s choice has always been based on a purpose beyond mere physical lineage.

The mystery of inclusion The discussion moves to the role of the Gentiles, framing their inclusion as a way to stimulate Israel’s emulation. It warns against arrogance, reminding the reader that the "root" of the olive tree remains holy, even if some branches are broken off.

The call to self-surrender The focus turns to the individual’s response to God, defining the spiritual life as a surrender of the self. This section links personal devotion directly to the health of the community and the rejection of worldly ambition.

The debt of love The text examines civic and social obligations, famously identifying love as the only debt that a Christian should never fully pay off. It summarizes the entire moral law as an infinite, ongoing commitment to the well-being of the neighbor.

The ethics of tolerance The final movement addresses the tension between the "strong" and the "weak" within the early church. It argues that the highest form of spiritual strength is not the exercise of liberty, but the willingness to suffer for the sake of another’s conscience.

The People

The Apostle Paul stands at the center as the primary guide, constantly mediating between the rigid traditions of the past and the expansive, inclusive future of the Gospel. He is not a detached theorist; he is a man pleading with his own kinsmen, deeply invested in the survival and holiness of the collective body.

Alongside him, the "Jewish objector" appears as a vital, if challenging, foil. This figure represents the voice of tradition and the internal tension felt by those who saw their world shifting under the weight of a new message. By including this voice, the text gives weight to the difficulty of abandoning long-held views on genealogical merit.

Finally, the reader encounters the "strong" and the "weak" Christians within the Roman community. The strong are those who have mastered their own liberty, while the weak are burdened by scruples. Their interactions define the reality of the church, where the strong must learn that true power is found in "bearing the weaknesses of others" rather than asserting their own rights. Priscilla and Aquila are also highlighted as historical anchors—real people whose hospitality and work as tent-makers transformed their home into a vital church, proving that the abstract theology discussed is deeply rooted in actual, collaborative lives.

In Its Own Voice

"For the younger Jacob was deliberately preferred over the elder Esau." In discussing the "inscrutable principle" of divine choice, this line illustrates that God’s favor has never been tied to human merit or birth order.

"Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law." This serves as the central command for community life, reframing the vast requirements of the moral law into the singular, infinite task of loving others.

"None of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself." In the section on mutual toleration, this serves as the reminder that every individual’s actions are ultimately accountable to God, making personal judgment of others inappropriate.

What It's Really About

The central argument concerns the nature of God’s justice, or "theodicy." The book grapples with the question of whether a God who chooses and rejects is truly fair. It posits that human understanding of fairness—often based on merit or descent—is too small to grasp the divine purpose, which is consistently oriented toward mercy. The questions underneath the argument are existential: what is the basis of human value, and how do we live together when our convictions differ? It suggests that the Christian life is an organic, corporate existence where the "strong" must serve the "weak," and where the ultimate standard for human behavior is the life of the Christ who bore the burdens of others.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate slow, methodical analysis of historical texts will find a rewarding companion here. The writing is warm and thoughtful, characterized by a Victorian-era precision that favors careful clarification over quick conclusions. It is not, however, a breezy read; the prose is dense, and the engagement with the Greek text and historical controversies (such as the debate over evolution and the Fall) requires patience.

Those interested in the history of religious thought will be fascinated by how the author navigates the tension between traditional church doctrine and the emerging scientific questions of the late 19th century. The author is remarkably honest about the difficulties of the text, often offering "notes" that acknowledge where the argument reaches the limits of human knowledge. The primary challenge for the modern reader is the assumed familiarity with the biblical text and the occasionally formal, academic tone of the period. Nevertheless, the book succeeds in making the Epistle to the Romans feel like a living, breathing document. It stays with you not because it provides easy answers, but because it challenges the modern instinct to prioritize personal liberty over the needs of the community, offering instead a vision of a group defined by mutual forbearance and sacrificial love.