Romans 11:6-10 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace… "My blindness came on very gradually. I first began to notice that I could not see so far as I used to do, and one morning when looking from the window I could only see across the road. As time went on I could see no further than the mantelpiece, and at length I had to grope my way about the room; and now no one knows what that darkness means but one who has experienced the same." As she concluded her sad story, I thought that was just like spiritual blindness. Some sin comes, and gradually obscures the light of God in the soul. By and by the darkness deepens, until at length it is darkness which may be felt. Only the removal of the cause of darkness will secure a return of light; and only when sin is forgiven and abandoned is it possible to walk in the light of God's countenance. Let their table be made a snare. —Abuse of privileges: — David is speaking both as a prophet and as a type of the Messiah (Psalm 69:22, 23). His words are quoted and applied to Jesus (Romans 15:3; John 2:17; John 19:28, 29), and applied to Judas (Acts 1:20). Similar denunciations are to be similarly interpreted. They are not the utterances of personal or vindictive feeling, but the denunciations and predictions of God's Spirit. I. TABLE. What would otherwise have been for good. 1. Daily and common mercies. 2. Spiritual privileges. Sin brings a curse which converts food into poison (Malachi 2:2). "Their table." A believer's table is spread for him by God (Psalm 23:5); the table of the unbeliever is regarded as his own. II. SNARE. Cause of unexpected destruction. Their very mercies are an occasion of sin and misery. To faith the means of grace are salvation; to unbelief, a snare. Table a snare. When the gospel proves a savour of death unto death. The gospel table was spread first for the Jews (Matthew 22:28); the preaching of forgiveness began at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47), and being rejected proved a snare. III. TRAP — a capture. The sinner caught in Satan's trap when he rejects the Saviour. Note the gradation — a snare for the foot, a trap for the whole body. The Old Testament falsely interpreted confirms the Jews in unbelief; the New Testament disbelieved becomes the occasion of deeper sin. In opposing the gospel the Jews filled up their sins (1 Thessalonians 2:16). In this sin the wrath of God came upon them to the uttermost. Their passover-table was made their trap. Multitudes thus caught in the siege of Jerusalem perished. IV. STUMBLING-BLOCK — that which causes to fall into a snare or trap. The gospel when believed raises men to heaven; rejected it trips them into the bottomless pit. Christ a foundation to some, a stumbling-block to others (Romans 9:32, 33). (T. Robinson, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. |
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