Wednesday, June 12, 2019

"He Shall Be Made To Stand"

"Who are you that judge another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up (Greek σταθήσεται - "made to stand"): for God is able to make him stand." (Rom. 14: 4)

In debate with Campbellites over the years on the subject of the final perseverance of the saints, I have often cited these words of the apostle to prove that all the elect and called would be made by God to persevere. I believe that is what is plainly stated by the apostle. I also believe that God will not only make us stand in our earthly walk, but will also make us to stand in the day of judgment.

Barnes Notes says:

"God has power to make him stand; to hold him; to keep him from error, and from condemnation, and "he shall be holden up." He shall not be suffered to fall into condemnation, for it is the "purpose" of God to keep him; compare Psalm 1:5. This is one of the incidental but striking evidences that the apostle believed that all Christians should be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

Shedd writes:

“It denotes not merely the pronunciation of a favorable judgment, but also support in that course of life and conduct which results in a favorable judgment. The ‘strong’ shall be enabled by God’s grace to stand in faith and obedience, and thereby in the final judgment.”

Agreed.

"Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." (Psa. 1:5 KJV)

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