Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: I. Grace OF apostleship, i.e., the favour of being an apostle. Given to the twelve (Matthew 10:1, 2); to Paul (Acts 9:15; Acts 13:2). The ministry of the Word is given as a mark of Divine favour. So deemed it when he said, "Not by our labour and industry, but by His grace"; and Philip Henry, after his ordination, "I received this day as much honour and work as I shall be able to know what to do with." Especially was this a grace to one who had been a blasphemer and persecutor. II. Grace WITH apostleship, i.e., apostleship with the necessary gifts and graces, extraordinary gifts as well as spiritual grace (2 Corinthians 12:9; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 4:8-11). The grace which calls also qualifies for office (Romans 12:3; Romans 15:5: Ephesians 3:2). This is necessary, as was felt by when he said, "The ministry is a weight from which even an angel might shrink"; and by Luther, who, "though an old preacher, trembled each time he ascended the pulpit." III. Grace, THEN apostleship, i.e., saving grace necessary to apostleship. Grace and office not to be separated (Psalm 50:16). A graceless ministry a grievous curse to the Church and to the minister himself. Of all callings the ministry is the most dangerous to an unconverted man, and more likely to destroy men's souls than to save them. How dreadful to preach to others and be at last a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27). Noah's workmen refused to enter the ark and perished. (T. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: |
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