In the opening to his epistle to the Roman Christians, Paul writes that he has "received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake" (Rom 1:5 NASB). That is an interesting phrase, "for His name's sake." The aim of Paul's missionary activity among the Gentiles is to bring them to the obedience which consists in faith, for "faith is properly that by which we obey the Gospel" (Calvin). And he desires that the Gentiles come to faith in Christ for the sake of Christ's name. John Stott comments:
"Why did Paul desire to bring the nations to the obedience of faith? It was for the sake of the glory and honour of Christ's name ... If ... God desires every knee to bow to Jesus and every tongue to confess him, so should we. We should be 'jealous' (as Scripture sometimes puts it) for the honour of his name -- troubled when it remains unknown, hurt when it is ignored, indignant when it is blasphemed, and all the time anxious and determined that it shall be given the honour and glory which are due to it. The highest of all missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God, verse 18), but rather zeal -- burning and passionate zeal -- for the glory of Jesus Christ."
[John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God's Good News for the World (The Bible Speaks Today; Downers Grove: IVP, 1994), 53.]
I'm reading through Stott's commentary on Romans now, and am enjoying it immensely. Either this book or his 1986 book on the atonement ("The Cross of Christ") is his masterpiece. Very compact and comprehensive, yet very insightful, as well.
Posted by: Richard Zuelch | 03/07/2011 at 01:10 AM
Agreed. Stott's commentary on Romans is a gem.
Posted by: Lee | 03/07/2011 at 09:25 AM