Romans 10:18-21 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes truly, their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.… In the psalm he speaks of works, here of the Word. 1. Some say that Paul argues from the less. If God teach all by the great volume of the heavens, much more will He teach all by the heavenly doctrine of the gospel. 2. I think that there is here hid a prophecy of the preaching of the gospel, because the latter part of the psalm speaks much in the commendation of it; and Paul here so applies it. And, indeed, there is a most sweet analogy between the heavens found and the gospel. The heavens are the work of God's hand; so is the gospel revealed by God. The heavens show the work of God: so the gospel, that we are justified by the work of God, which is faith, not by the works of man. The doctrine of the gospel is pure and lightsome as are the heavens. The influence of the heavens comforteth and cherisheth inferior things: so doth the gospel the conscience. The diversity of nations and languages is manifold which understand not one another; yet all understand the excellency of the heavens, and the wonderful work of God in them. So God enabled the apostles to teach all nations in their own tongues the wonderful works of God (Mark 16:20; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:6). I. THAT IS THE TRUE RELIGION WHICH AGREES WITH THAT WHICH WAS PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD BY THE APOSTLES. II. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT THE GOSPEL, a doctrine teaching the denial of ourselves and bearing of the Cross, carried by poor and mean persons, oppressed by mighty emperors and kings, should in despite of men and devils, WITHIN THE SPACE OF FORTY YEARS, BE SO PUBLISHED IN ALL THE WORLD. Let all enemies cease to oppose it by the remembrance hereof. III. OBEY THE GOSPEL, LEST HE WHICH SENT IT TAKE IT AWAY, and remove our candlestick for our unbelief and contempt of it. For this cause Turcism and Papism possess many places, which have been heretofore famous for the gospel. Hath the grace of God shined to thee? Make much of this light, and walk in it. Hast thou heard the sound of it? Why dost thou live in lewd practices, as if thou hadst never heard any inkling of it? Where sin bears rule, there is not the gospel received. (Elnathan Parr, B.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. |
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