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continuous salvation He Who died for us now lives for us.
The argument of
Romans 5:10 is echoed in 8:31,32:
`For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death
of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life'
(5:10).
`What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for
us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?'
(8:31,32).
The fact that the Gentile nations stand in need of reconciliation
presupposes that in some part of their history they were alienated from or
given up by God. This is definitely stated to be the case in Romans 1.
The Gentiles Given Up
We now approach the solemn fact towards which all that has been written
since verse 18 of Romans 1 has been leading, viz., the giving-up of the
Gentile nations by God: `Wherefore God also gave them up' (verse 24). The
word paradidomai, `to give up', occurs in verses 24, 26 and 28. At this
point it seems advisable to take notice of the structure of the passage that
we may see the setting of this threefold giving-up.
Romans 1:19 to 2:1
A
1:19-22.
a
Known of God.
b
Inexcusable.
B
1:23-31.
c
Changed the glory.
d
Given up to uncleanness.
c
Changed the truth.
d
Given up to infamous
passions.
c
Changed natural use.
d
Given up to reprobate mind.
A
1:32 to 2:1. a
Knowing the judgment of God.
b
Inexcusable.
This threefold giving up indicates the dispensational position of the
Gentiles, from the dispersion at Babel and the call of Abraham, until the
ministry of the reconciliation committed to Paul, when Israel began to pass
off the scene. The Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise throughout the dispensation of the
Law under Moses, throughout the kingdom under David, throughout the
proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom during the earthly ministry of the
Lord Jesus, and throughout a part of the period covered by the Acts of the
Apostles. To this period Paul referred when he said to the Athenians: `At
the time of this ignorance God winked', but indicated that a change had come,
by adding, `but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent' (Acts 17:30).
That the reconciliation of the world was closely associated with the setting
aside of Israel may be seen by reading Romans 11:15. Referring to the
structure we observe that not only is there a threefold giving up, but also
that this giving-up is preceded by a threefold change: