Commentaries are of great value in arriving at an accurate understanding of the text, yet at their best they are only of value as scaffolding in the erection of a building. Moreover, it is vital that we should understand that an epistle such as this is only a summary of what the Apostle Paul preached. He explains that in chapter 1 verses 11-15. He wrote the Epistle because he was not able to visit them in Rome. Had he been with them he would not merely have given them what he says in this Letter, for this is but a synopsis. He would have preached an endless series of sermons as he did daily in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19.9) and probably have often gone on until midnight (Acts 20.7). The business of the preacher and teacher is to open out and expand what is given here by the Apostle in summary form.
Not only that, we must ever remember that the Truth of God while meant primarily for the mind is also meant to grip and to influence the entire personality. Truth must always be applied, and to handle a portion of Scripture as one might handle a play of Shakespeare in a purely intellectual and analytical manner is to abuse it. People have often complained that commentaries are ‘as dry as dust.’ There is surely something seriously wrong if that is the case. Any kind of exposition of ‘the glorious gospel of the blessed God’ should never produce such and impression. It is my opinion that we have had far too many brief commentaries and studies in the Scriptures. The greatest need today is a return to expository preaching. That is what happened in the time of the Reformation and the Puritan Revival and the Evangelical Awakening of the 18th Century. It is only as we return to this that we shall be able to show people the grandeur, glory and majesty of the Scriptures and their message.
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Atonement and Justification, An Exposition of Chapters 3.20-4.25, p. xii
I discovered this quote a few years ago while reading the book and, for some reason, haven’t shared it. It is one of the most helpful statements on preaching I have ever read – and it’s from the foreword of a book of sermons on Romans. He’s always helpful, even where you wouldn’t expect it. Though I have more disagreement with Lloyd-Jones on some of his interpretations of Romans (chapters 7 and 11 for instance) than anything else I have read by him, I have never encountered better examples of expository preaching than those from his Romans series. By the way, you can hear all of his sermons on Romans for free HERE.
The main takeaway from this quote was, for me, that my job as a preacher is not simply to go down, down, down into the text. We are to do that, especially in our studies, but from there we must go out, out, out – like a fire that expands and spreads – in order to bring the doctrine of the text to bear on issues we are facing in our present world. And, in line with the fire metaphor, there should be heat as we do so.
- But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9).
- On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight (Acts 20:7).
- I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome (Rom. 1:13-15).
