Table of Contents
the ...
ADVERTISEMENT. ...
THE ...
SECTION XVII. ...
SECTION XXV. ...
SECTION XXVIII. ...
SECTION XXXIII. ...
50 ...
SECTION I. ...
SECTION XXVI. ...
SECTION XXXI. ...
' ...
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS. ...
SECTION III. ...
SECTION VI. ...
I ...
SECTION XVIII. ...
SECTION XXI. ...
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS. ...
SECTION VI. ...
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS. ...
SECTION IV. ...
SECTION XI. ...
SECTION XIII. ...
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIAN3. ...
SECTION III. ...
I ...
I ...
SECTION I. ...
SECTION III.' ...
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ...
SECTION VIII. ...
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY. ...
SECTION IV. ...
SECTION VI. ...
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY. ...
SECTION II. ...
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. ...
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON. ...
[Here ends the fifth volume of the original work.] ...
) ...
SECTION VIII. ...
SECTION XII. ...
SECTION XIV. ...
SECTION XVI. ...
SECTION XX. ...
THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. ...
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER. ...
SECTION II. ...
-: ...
» ...
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER. ...
SECTION III. ...
divine word and providence, which our weak and defective organs ...
SECTION V. ...
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. ...
THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. ...
THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. ...
THE REVELATION OV JOHN. ...
SECTION XXIV. ...
: ...
About this Book - From Google
The
FAMILY EXPOSITOR
ABRIDGED:
ACCORDING TO THE PLAN OF ITS AUTHOR,
THE
Rev. P. DODDRIDGE, D. D.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
BY S. PALMES.
TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED,
MEMOIRS OF DOCTOR DODDRIDGE.
VOL. II.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim. iii. 16,17.
Mv$t american CDitfom
HARTFORD:
PRINTED BY LINCOLN & GLEASON.
1807.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THOUGH the author, if his life had been spared to publish this Abridgment himself, intended to have left out all his Introductions to the several Epistles, it has been thought advisable to give the reader a concise abstract of them, so as to convey an idea of the occasion on which these Epistles were written, and the leading objects which the writers had in view. With regard to some of the longest of them, especially that to the Romans, the editor has thought something further was desirable, and therefore has abridged the whole of the Introduction, so as to form a concise Analysis of the Epistle, apprehending that this will serve to throw considerable light upon various passages. In the doctrinal part, where the sense appeared to be attended with difficulty, more of the author's paraphrase is retained, than in the rest of this volume; in the far greater part of which the sense seemed so obvious as to need no explanation. There are perhaps fewer Notes in this volume than some readers might have wished and expected, but there are as many as the prescribed limits of the work would admit, or as appeared needful for answering the design proposed, and more than the author himself intended: the practical Reflections being the things which he and'the promoters of this undertaking considered as of the principal importance to the generality of private Christians, and especially to Christian Families. :/':
December 9, 1800. 'J:
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS.
'HIS epistle was written from Corinth, about the year of our Lord SS,
-* which was the 4th of Nero. The design of it was, to fix on the mind* of the Christians at Rome a deep- sense of the excellence of the gospel, and to engage them to act in a manner agreeable to their profession of it; particularly to compromise the differences between the Jewish and Gentile converts, of which this church consisted.—After a suitable introduction, the apostle proves the excellence of the gospel, as the means of salvation, by shewing, 1. That the world needed such a dispensation, the Gentiles being fallen into a most abandoned state (Ch. i. 18—) and the Jews being no better, as their own scriptures testify (Ch. ii.1—2. That Abraham and David sought justification in such a way as the gospel recommends, viz. by faith (Ch.iv)-.—S. Tlmt hereby believers are brought into so happy a state as renders afflictions the occasions of joy-(Ch. v. 1—11).—4. That the evils brought on the seed of the first Adam by his fall, are gloriously repaired by the second Adam, to all who by faith become interested in him (v. 12)—5. That the gospel, far from dissolving, increases our obligations to holiness (Ch. vi).
To take off the Jews from a fond attachment to the Mosaic law, now they were married to Christ, he represents tlie inefficacy of its motives to obedience, compared with those of the gospel (Ch. vii. viii. 1, 2.) and displays the blessings of grace and glory which it secures (3—39).
It being implied that, as all believing Gentiles would sliare in these blessings, so all unbelieving Jews must- be excluded*from them, the apostle employs three chapters in discussing this important topic. Having declared his affection to the Jewish nation (Ch. ix. 1—5) he shews, 1. That a part of the seed of Abraham had actually been rejected (v. 6—13).—2. That the sovereign choice of some to peculiar privileges, to which none had any claim, and the appointment of some from among many criminals to exemplary punishment, was consistent both with reason and scripture (v. 14—24).—3. T/mt the reception of the Gentiles when Israel should be rejected, was foretold by Hosea and Isaiah (v. 26—).—4. That the gospel salvation is offered both to Jews and Gentiles on tlie same easy terms, though Israel by a bigotted attacliment to their law had rejected it (Ch. x).—5. That the rejection of Israel, though general, as foretold, is not total (Ch. xi. 1—10).—6. That neither would it be final, but the'. Jews would at last be brought in a body into the church of Christ (v. 11—31).—7. That in the meani time their obstinacy, and their rejection, are happily over-ruled, so as to display the unsearchable wisdom of God (v. 32).—The remainder of the epistle is taken up in a -mriety of practical instructions, and exhortations, particularly (Ch. xiv. xv.) to mutual candour between those who did, and those who did not, tliink themselves obliged in conscience to observe the ceremonies enjoined by the law of Moses.
SECTION I.
Paul, in his salutation to the Christians at Rome, asserts his apostolic com• • mission. Ch. i. 1—7.
1 "TJAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle*, '2 J~ separated to the gospel of God, which before was promised
3 by his prophets in the holy scriptures of the Old Testament, relating to his son Jesus Christ our Lord: who was born of the seed
4 and family of David according to the flesh, but determinately marked out as the son of God with power, according to the operation of the spirit of holinessf, in the resurrection from the dead:
5 by whom we have received grace and an apostolical mission, that out of regard to his name, all nations might be brought to the
6 obedience of faith: among whom are ye Ramatis also now the
7 called of Jesus Christ: To all in Rome, who are beloved of God, called and holy ; grace. be to you and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. .
REFLECTIONS.
Let us begin the perusal of this excellent, though in many passages obscure and difficult epistle, with paying our humble acknowledgments to the divine goodness, that we are favoured with so valuable a part of scripture as that contained in the apostolical epistles. How happy are we, who read from the pen of those holy men the sentiments they entertained of Christianity, under the full illumination of the sacred Spirit; and so learn what were the leading affections which prevailed in their minds. By these letters, they open all their hearts to us, amidst their labours and sufferings* that we also may have fellowship with them in those important things in which their communion was with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
With particular pleasure let us peruse the writings of Paul, who ivas, in so peculiar a manner, called. to be an apostle, andscparated to the
* As the judaizing teachers disputed Paul's claim to the apostolic office, it is with great propriety that he asserts it, in the entrance of an epistle in which th<^ pnnciples were to be overthrown; and that he introduces the views viiidi the Jewish prophets had given of the gospel, the descent of Christ from
David, &c.
| Or the Holy Spirit, to which the production of Christ's body is ascribed.
See Luke i. 35.
gospel of God. He gloried in the name of a servant of Christ, and let us emulate it as the greatest honour. Let us be animated to exert ourselves to the utmost under that character; since God hath been pleased to bring us, though originally sinners of the Gentiles, to the obedience of faith, and to reveal unto us the'gospel of his Son; that glorious gospel predicted by the prophets, and opened by the apostles, yea, by their divine Master.—May our hearts adore the great Emaftuel, who though he condescended to be made of the seed of David, according to his flesh, had a divine nature infinitely superior to il. Let us often reflect on that glorious display of the power of the Holy Ghost, in his resurrection from the dead, by which he was marked out as the son of God; and yielding to the force of such a demonstration, let us confide in him as Jesus our Saviour, and obey him as Christ our Lord. We are called to partake of the privileges of Jiis people ; we belong to the society of those who are eminently beloved of God, and . who lie under obligations, as they are called an holy nation, a peculiar people, to be indeed saints, to be holy in all manner of conversation,**' as being entirely devoted to God and the Redeemer. May such grace be imparted to us from God our Father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord, that we may not dishonour the sacred community to which we belong; that we may not with millions be cast out at last infamous and abhorred, but may enjoy its most important privileges, in that state of final and everlasting glory in which the kingdom of the Son ef God shall terminate!
SECTION II.
The apostle strongly expresses his affection for his Christian friends at Rome. Ch. i. 8—15.
8 TN the first place, I thank my God through Jesus Christ, for X you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world.
9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his sen, is my witness, how incessantly I make mention of you before him:
10 always entreating in my prayers hie permission to corns unto you, if by any means now at length I may have a prosperous
11 journey unto you by the will of God. For I desire greatly to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may
12 be established in your faith, and fortified against temptation, that is, in other words, I desire that while I am among you, we maybe comforted together by the mutual faith both of you and mc.
IS And I would not have you ignorant,brethren, that I have often been proposing to come to you, though I-have hitherto been hindered, that I might have some fruit of my labours among you also, even
14 as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles. For I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the learned and the
15 ignorant: therefore according to my abilities, I am ready and%ery desirous to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome, though at the expense of my reputation, my liberty, or life.
REFLECTIONS. Happy is the church of Christ, when its ministers are thus conscious of the excellency of the gospel, and thus earnestly desirous, in the midst of reproach, persecuiion, and danger, to extend its triumphs; 'when they can thus appeal to God, that it is with their spirit that they serve him in the gospel of his Son. This will give them a largeness of heart well becoming their office. Devotion will then flourish in their secret retirements, as well as be maintained by them in public assemblies; and the concerns of the churches, and sometimes of far distant churches, will have a place in their thoughts and prayers at such solemn seasons.—May they ever remember that, as the servants of Christ, they are to be the friends of mankind; and that their Master has laid such obligations upon them, that for his sake they are debtors to the whole world, in every office of Christian friendship, and especially as to any spiritual gift which by their ministration they may be instrumental in imparting. The more they exert themselves in such services, the more will their own faith and comfort, as well as that*of their people, be confirmed.—But in whatever station we are, let us be* forming schemes for the service of God, and good of men; projecting our journeys and visits on that plan, yet always with a becoming sense pf our dependance on the smiles of heaven, for prosperity and success; and as dutiful children, referring it to the infinitely superior wisdom of our heavenly Father, to put a negative, at his sacred pleasure, upon those purposes which lie nearest to our hearts, and in which we most sincerely intend his glory.
SECTION III.
Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel at Rome; and he shews that the world greatly needed such a dispensation, from the abandoned state into wliich the Gentiles were fallen. Ch. i. 16—32.