Welsh Journals

THE TREASURY. No. 38. FEBRUARY, 1867. Price 2d. % €000 <f liiw Cm. " A good olive tree."—Rom. xi. 24. ► HEN Paul wrote his "epistle to the Romans," the church at Eome was composed of Jews and Gentiles, who, of course, were become one in faith in Christ Jesus- That there were Gentiles in the church is evident from such words as these, "fori speak to you Gentiles," (xi. 13); and that there were Jews is likewise evident from such verses as ii ch. 17 verse, wherein he argues directly with Jews. It is equally clear, that the majority of the Jews at Rome were still clinging to their old faith and ceremonies : and that they were doing so even some time after this, when Paul was brought a prisoner to Rome (Acts xxviii. 17—28). Whilst the church was composed of Jews and Gentiles, the body of the church, it would seem, were Gentiles; and these evidently had not the best of feelings towards the Jews ; in fact, looked down upon them despisingly as castaways from God, and therefore to be treated with every indignity,—a piece of unchristian conduct, which, alas! has characterised the Christian Church in too many ages, and too many countries, and which has not yet been entirely eradicated: its remnants at all events are still among us. The Apostle sought to extirpate this feeling, and he was peculiarly qualified for the task. Being pre-eminently the Apostle of the Gentiles, he had the strongest ground for being heard by the Gentiles on behalf of the Jews. True he was a