The theologian Robert Haldane (1764-1842) wrote in his commentary on Romans that Paul always connects his teaching on Christian living to the mystery of redemption in Christ. This is how Paul can make multifaceted applications of the gospel. Haldane summarizes Paul’s approach in what follows. I have broken up this extended quotation by highlighting Haldane’s break in thought with various headings and numbering. Haldane writes the following:
1. On whatever subject Paul treats, he constantly introduces the mystery of Christ.
- In writing to the Corinthians, he says, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” This is a declaration, that the doctrine concerning Christ is the whole of religion, in which all besides is comprehended.
- In delivering his instructions to the saints at Corinth, respecting the incestuous person, he points out to them. Jesus Christ as the Lamb that was sacrificed.
- If his subject respects the promises he has made, or the engagements he has entered into, he draws our attention to the promises of God, which are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus.
- When he treats of the precepts to be obeyed, he regards them as connected with the knowledge of Christ;
- all duties are considered in relation to him, as the only Saviour from whom we can derive power to fulfil them,
- the only altar on which they can be accepted,
- that model according to which they are to be performed,
- and the motive by which those who perform them are to be actuated.
- He is the head that gives life to the members,
- the root which renders the branches fruitful.
- Believers are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
- Jesus Christ is the end and object of their obedience, in order that the name of the Father may be glorified in the Son, and that the name of the Son may be glorified in them.
2. Accordingly, the Scriptures speak of the commencement and the continuation of the life of believers as being derived from Christ;
- of their being planted together with him;
- buried and risen with him;
- walking in him;
- living and dying with him.
The principal motives to holiness, in general, or to any particular duty, are drawn from some special view of the work of redemption, fitted to excite to the fulfilment of such obligations.
3. The love of God in Christ is set before us in a multitude of passages, as the most powerful motive we can have to love him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.
- When we are exhorted to look not to our own things only, but also to those of others, it is because we ought to have the same mind in us that was in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, humbled himself to do such wonderful things for us.
- The duty of almsgiving is enforced by the consideration, that he who was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.
- Forbearance to weak brethren has for its motive the death of Christ for them.
- If we are exhorted to forgive the offences of others, it is because God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven us.
- The reciprocal duties of husband and wife are enforced by the consideration of the love of Christ, and the relation in which he stands to his church.
- The motive to chastity is, that we are members of Christ’s body, and temples of the Holy Ghost.
In one word, the various exhortations to the particular duties of a holy life, and the motives which correspond to each of them, are all taken from different views of one grand and important object, the mystery of redemption.
— Robert Haldane, Exposition of Romans, 1858. pp 20-21