Salvation to the Jews.
After many unavoidable delays, Paul at last reached Corinth, the scene of so much anxious labor in the past, and for a time the object of deep solicitude.He found that many of the early believers still regarded him with affection as the one who had first borne to them the light of the gospel.As he greeted these disciples and saw the evidences of their fidelity and zeal he rejoiced that his work in Corinth had not been in vain.
The Corinthian believers, once so prone to lose sight of their high calling in Christ, had developed strength of Christian character.Their words and acts revealed the transforming power of the grace of God, and they were now a strong force for good in that center of heathenism and superstition.In the society of his beloved companions and these faithful converts the apostle's worn and troubled spirit found rest.
During his sojourn at Corinth, Paul found time to look forward to new and wider fields of service.His contemplated journey to Rome especially occupied his thoughts.To see the Christian faith firmly established at the great center of the known world was one of his dearest hopes and most cherished plans.A church had already been established in Rome, and the apostle desired to secure the co-operation of the believers there in the work to be accomplished in Italy and in other countries.To prepare the way for his labors among these brethren, many of whom were as yet strangers to him, he sent them a letter announcing his purpose of visiting Rome and his hope of planting the standard of the cross in Spain.
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul set forth the great principles of the gospel.He stated his position on the questions which were agitating the Jewish and the Gentile churches, and showed that the hopes and promises which had once belonged especially to the Jews were now offered to the Gentiles also.
With great clearness and power the apostle presented the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ.He hoped that other churches also might be helped by the instruction sent to the Christians at Rome; but how dimly could he foresee the far-reaching influence of his words! Through all the ages the great truth of justification by faith has stood as a mighty beacon to guide repentant sinners into the way of life.It was this light that scattered the darkness which enveloped Luther's mind and revealed to him the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin.The same light has guided thousands of sin-burdened souls to the true Source of pardon and peace.For the epistle to the church at Rome, every Christian has reason to thank God.
In this letter Paul gave free expression to his burden in behalf of the Jews.Ever since his conversion, he had longed to help his Jewish brethren to gain a clear understanding of the gospel message."My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is," he declared, "that they might be saved."It was no ordinary desire that the apostle felt.Constantly he was petitioning God to work in behalf of the Israelites who had failed to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah."I say the truth in Christ," he assured the believers at Rome, "my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever."The Jews were God's chosen people, through whom He had purposed to bless the entire race.From among them God had raised up many prophets.These had foretold the advent of a Redeemer who was to be rejected and slain by those who should have been the first to recognize Him as the Promised One.
The prophet Isaiah, looking down through the centuries and witnessing the rejection of prophet after prophet and finally of the Son of God, was inspired to write concerning the acceptance of the Redeemer by those who had never before been numbered among the children of Israel.Referring to this prophecy, Paul declares: "Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought Me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after Me.But to Israel He saith, All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."Even though Israel rejected His Son, God did not reject them.Listen to Paul as he continues the argument: "I say then, Hath God cast away His people?
