Romans 13:14

But put ye on, &c. For similar language see Galatians 3:27; (where Baptism is to be viewed in its ideal, as involving and sealing the acceptance and confession of Christ.) Cp. also Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10. Here again (see Romans 13:12, last note,) observe how the new effortof the life of grace is spoken of as if it were its beginning.

the Lord Jesus Christ Here the Saviour is presented as the soul's armour and arms. Cp. Romans 13:12. By means of Him, beheld by faith, adored, accepted, and welcomed as the Guest of the soul, sin is to be resisted and subdued. Grace is to come, above all other means, by means of personal dealings with Him.

and make not provision, &c. Lit. make not forethought of the flesh. The clause, of course, means (under a sort of euphemism) "positively denythe flesh;" but it specially suggests the sad thought of the elaborate pains with which so often sin is planned and sought. See the close of 1 Corinthians 9 for St Paul's own practical comment on this precept.

to fulfil the lusts thereof Lit., simply, unto lusts; with a view to (evil) desires.

An instructive parallel is Colossians 2:23, where probably render, "not of any value with a view to[resisting the gratification of the flesh." Mereascetic rules there stand contrasted with the living grace of the personal Saviour here.

This verse is memorable as the turning-point of St Augustine's conversion. In his Confessions(VIII. 12) he records how, at a time of great moral conflict, he was strangely impelled by a voice, perhaps the cry of children at play, (" Take and read, take and read,") to open again the Epistles of St Paul (codicem Apostoli) which he had recently been reading. "I read in silence the first place on which my eyes fell; Not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts. I neither cared, nor needed, to read further. At the close of the sentence, as if a ray of certainty were poured into my heart, the clouds of hesitation all fled at once." The following words, But him that is weak in faith receive ye, were pointed out to him just after by his friend Alypius, to whom Augustine shewed the present verse. Augustine was at the time so slightly read in the Scriptures that he was not aware (he says) of this context till Alypius, with an application to himself, drew his attention to it.