• March 6, 2026

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06 Romans Brethren Stacks-P

Pridham Commentary on Romans

Introduction.

The Epistle to the Romans may be distributed, with respect to its contents, into three great divisions. The first of these is comprised in the first eight chapters, and is essentially doctrinal in its character, although containing much also of a practical kind.

Indeed, the habit of regarding doctrine as something essentially distinct from what is practical is one which, though not unusual amongst Christians, is of injurious tendency. For doctrine is ever the basis and the warrant of practice. It is by studying the revelation of the Spirit of God that faith acquires its needed strength and clearness for obedience to that will of God which it is the object of pure doctrine to disclose, and the joy and blessing of the child of God to do (John 13:17; 15:10; 1 John 5:3-4).

Accordingly, in the following pages, I have endeavoured so to treat the doctrinal portions of this Epistle, as to present immediately to the heart and conscience of the reader the practical bearing of the truth which the doctrines convey.


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The second branch of the Epistle begins at the ninth chapter, and closes with the eleventh. This division may be termed dispensational. Its subject is the mystery of the Divine wisdom in the dealings of God with the nation of Israel. It thus stands in close relation to the preceding part, while it will be found to have a peculiar character of its own. It is a very deep and solemn view of the character and sovereignty of God which is presented in these chapters. The fixed and abiding principles of the Divine government, and the conditions of human blessing, are stated here at large. The moral scope of this division goes far beyond Israel as its proper subject. It includes as essential features the election of the true Church on the one hand, and on the other, the character and destiny of the visible professing body, considered in its relation to the dispensational government of God.

The last division commences at the twelfth chapter, and concludes the Epistle. It is more directly practical than either of the preceding parts. But, while abounding in exhortation, and addressing itself, on the doctrinal grounds previously laid, to the heart and conscience of the believer, it contains a large addition of doctrinal matter on subjects not treated in the earlier chapters of the work.

I have noticed these leading divisions of the Epistle as being such as would obviously strike the mind of every careful student of the word. But I need hardly say that the Epistle, to be studied profitably, should be studied as a whole. And ample indeed will be the reward which the prayerful meditation of this marvellous writing will bring, under the blessing of God, to one who, in simple dependence on Him who inspired its author, shall give himself to the close and thoughtful study of its contents.

The times in which our lot is cast are remarkable. To most Christians, there are some features at least in the living picture of the present hour which suggest solemn thoughts and uneasy forebodings. It is well to have, in such a case, a mind firmly stayed upon God. Not every Christian’s mind, however, is thus stayed. Were it so, these sheets would never have been written. But there is another consideration which greatly influences my mind in deciding on the publication of these Notes. It is the dilution of sound doctrine which is daily taking place, and the practical looseness with which the word of God is held, even by Christians, through the largely-prevalent influence of the neological element in the growing mind of the day. It is a time when man is sifting everything within his reach, and, with the characteristic pride of that scientific conceit which really knows nothing (1 Tim. 6:4), is often found displacing Divine truth without scruple, to make room for his own most false and self-deluding theories.

Nor is his the only sieve at work. God is, I surely believe, dealing with the souls that are to find a place in His garner in the day of the Lord which is at hand. It has been under the hopeful impression that no exposition of solid and pure doctrine, how feebly done soever, could be wholly out of season at such a time, that I have put together the following pages, which are now commended to the reader, in the hope of his profit, in the Lord’s name. Pridham-Arthur-Romans-Commentary.cmt-1.twm (530 downloads )

 

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