Romans 2:4 Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering… I. THE GOODNESS, FORBEARANCE, AND LONG SUFFERING OF GOD. 1. As God is good, infinitely good in Himself, so — (1) His goodness was the cause of the universe, and is still the source of all His dispensations. It is true, all His other attributes also were concerned in creating, and are still concerned in governing the world; but it seems they are all but modifications of His goodness. What is His wisdom but goodness planning and directing? His power but goodness executing? His justice but goodness governing, etc. (2) And if His goodness gave origin to the universe in general, so did it to man in particular, as he was first formed, that masterpiece of Divine workmanship. Although by the Fall we forfeited every blessing our Creator had bestowed upon us, His goodness continues to us (Acts 14:17). (3) His goodness is more particularly manifested in our redemption, in which especially "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared" (Titus 3:4; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9). The unspeakable extent of His goodness is seen in the dignity of the Person given, and the humiliation and sufferings to which He was given (Philippians 2:6-8); the unworthiness of those for whom He undertook; the great misery from which we are rescued; the happiness to which we are, or may be, advanced. It is manifested in the blessings consequent on our redemption; as in the information afforded by the gospel, and means of grace (Luke 1:78); the influences of the Holy Spirit; the sincere and free offer of salvation, both present and eternal. (4) As to the influence this goodness of God ought to have upon us; ought it not to humble us, as a much less display of goodness did one of old? (Genesis 32:10) to fill us with gratitude and love? 2. His forbearance — (1) Exercised of old towards the heathen world (Acts 14:15, 16; Acts 17:24-31). What an awful picture in chap. Romans 1, and what a proof of God's forbearance that He should endure those depicted! Towards the Jews (ver. 1, 17-24), whose perverse and sinful manners He suffered for ages. (Acts 13:18; Isaiah 1:5). Towards sinners still; those wilfully ignorant, neglecting the means of instruction; those living in open or secret sin, and though knowing their Master's will (Isaiah 65:2; Isaiah 1:10), such as rest contented without Christian experience and practice, such as leave their first love and backslide (Hosea 11:7-9; Jeremiah 3:12); unfruitful and slothful Christians, compared to the "earth drinking in the rain which cometh oft upon it" (Hebrews 6:7, 8). He bears with them year after year. (2) What is the end for which He bears with them? That a reformation may be wrought, and a change take place in all the instances mentioned. If there be no alteration, still God is — 3. Long suffering, i.e., slow to punish (Numbers 14:18; Joel 2:12). Many instances of this are noticed in Scripture, as towards the old world in the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:20; cf. Genesis 6:3-7; Genesis 7:4). Towards the world now (2 Peter 3:7-9). Towards particular nations, as Egypt, in the days of Pharaoh (Genesis 15:13, 14; Romans 9:22); the Canaanites (Genesis 15:16); the Israelites in all ages (Isaiah 5:1), especially in the time of Christ (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 13:6-9). Towards particular cities, as Sodom (Genesis 18:20); Nineveh (Jonah 1:2; Jonah 3:10; Jonah 4:11); Babylon, Tyre. Towards Churches that have left their first love (Revelation 2:1-6); that are lukewarm (Revelation 3:15); that are formal and dead and barren (Revelation 3:1). Towards families, as that of Ahab (1 Kings 21:29); the house of Stuart, in England, and of Bourbon, in France. Towards individuals innumerable of all characters, whom God is slow to punish, and even to chastise (Luke 13:7). II. HOW THESE ATTRIBUTES, INCLUDED UNDER THE NAME OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD, LEAD, OR SHOULD LEAD, MEN TO REPENTANCE. 1. Repentance is — (1) After thought or reflection; the looking back upon our former ways, and considering them with a just conviction of our guilt, attended with humiliation, sorrow, and hatred of all our sins. (2) A change of mind of all our powers. (3) Evidenced by the production of the proper fruits. 2. How does the goodness of God lead men to repentance? His long suffering leaves room for it (Revelation 2:21), which there would not be if punishment followed immediately on the heels of transgression. His forbearance, when considered, strongly invites, persuades, and must move an ingenuous mind. His goodness and bounty also afford every needful and useful help, as the mediation and intercession of Christ; the ministry of the Word; the chastisements and blessings of Providence; the strivings and influences of the Holy Spirit. III. THE REASONS WHY THE GOODNESS OF GOD DOES NOT PRODUCE THAT EFFECT. These are — 1. Ignorance.Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Ignorance of their fallen state and exposure to Divine wrath; of the worth and necessity of holiness; of the true character of God, that He is as holy and just as He is merciful and gracious; of the dignity of the Redeemer, and of His great love and sufferings: of the end of man's creation, preservation, and redemption; of the infinite importance of this short span of human life, and how much depends on our rightly improving it, as a state of trial, for eternity. 2. Hardness, or callousness, contracted by sinning against light, and the formation of evil habits (Ephesians 4:18, 19). 3. An impenitent heart, i.e., an inconsiderate, unreflecting, and therefore unrelenting heart. (Joseph Brown.) Parallel Verses KJV: Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? |
    |