speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret
services shall be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.
Verses 17–24
The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty,
notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in
God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward
profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous
of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion,
by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who
rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life
and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name
to be blasphemed.
Verses 25–29
No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will always lead
to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more a Christian now, than
he was really a Jew of old, who is only one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in
the flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And
the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy
Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing following of truth in its holy ways. Let us
pray that we may be made real Christians, not outwardly, but inwardly; in the heart and spirit, not
in the letter; baptized, not with water only, but with the Holy Ghost; and let our praise be, not of
men, but of God.
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
Objections answered. (1–8)
All mankind are sinners. (9–18)
Both Jews and Gentiles cannot be justified (19, 20)
by their own deeds.
It is owing to the free grace of God, through (21–31)
faith in the righteousness of Christ, yet the
law is not done away.Verses 1–8