enemies] Personal enemies; the proper force of the Gr. word. Cp. Col. 1:21. See below on 8:7. reconciled to God] On “reconciliation,” see on ver. 1. Here certainly the idea of the conciliation of man’s will to God (as a result of the Propitiation revealed) is suggested. But even here it is scarcely the main idea. The language, carefully weighed, points more to God’s acceptance of the sinner than to the sinner’s acceptance of God. For the case is put thus:—“When we were enemies, God was gracious to
Page 103