text:
The freedom of believers from condemnation. (1-9) Their privileges as being the children of God. (10-17) Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. (18-25) Their assistance from the Spirit in prayer. (26,27) Their interest in the love of God. (28-31) Their final triumph, through Christ. (32-39)
Verses 1-9 Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for ( 1 Timothy. 5:6 ) sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal man may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not, ver. 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.
Verses 10-17 If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually live according to corrupt lustings, they will certainly perish in their sins, whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children; they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under, through the darkness of that dispensation. The Spirit of adoption was not then plentifully poured out. Also it refers to that spirit of bondage, under which many saints were at their conversion. Many speak peace to themselves, to whom God does not speak peace. But those who are sanctified, have God's Spirit witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. Though we may now seem to be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end.
Verses 18-25 The sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and but for a moment. How vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world, concerning the sufferings of this present time! Indeed the whole creation seems to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall be manifested in the glory prepared for them. There is an impurity, deformity, and infirmity, which has come upon the creature by the fall of man. There is an enmity of one creature to another. And they are used, or abused rather, by men as instruments of sin. Yet this deplorable state of the creation is in hope. God will deliver it from thus being held in bondage to man's depravity. The miseries of the human race, through their own and each other's wickedness, declare that the world is not always to continue as it is. Our having received the first-fruits of the Spirit, quickens our desires, encourages our hopes, and raises our expectations. Sin has been, and is, the guilty cause of all the suffering that exists in the creation of God. It has brought on the woes of earth; it has kindled the flames of hell. As to man, not a tear has been shed, not a groan has been uttered, not a pang has been felt, in body or mind, that has not come from sin. This is not all; sin is to be looked at as it affects the glory of God. Of this how fearfully regardless are the bulk of mankind! Believers have been brought into a state of safety; but their comfort consists rather in hope than in enjoyment. From this hope they cannot be turned by the vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We need patience, our way is rough and long; but He that shall come, will come, though he seems to tarry.
Verses 26-27 Though the infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter. The Spirit who searches the hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the spirit, the renewed mind, and advocates his cause. The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the enemy prevails not.
Verses 28-31 That is good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. All that God designed for glory and happiness as the end, he decreed to grace and holiness as the way. The whole human race deserved destruction; but for reasons not perfectly known to us, God determined to recover some by regeneration and the power of his grace. He predestinated, or before decreed, that they should be conformed to the image of his Son. In this life they are in part renewed, and walk in his steps. 2. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. It is an effectual call, from self and earth to God, and Christ, and heaven, as our end; from sin and vanity to grace and holiness, as our way. This is the gospel call. The love of God, ruling in the hearts of those who once were enemies to him, proves that they have been called according to his purpose. 3. Whom he called, them he also justified. None are thus justified but those that are effectually called. Those who stand out against the gospel call, abide under guilt and wrath. 4. Whom he justified, them he also glorified. The power of corruption being broken in effectual calling, and the guilt of sin removed in justification, nothing can come between that soul and glory. This encourages our faith and hope; for, as for God, his way, his work, is perfect. The apostle speaks as one amazed, and swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. The more we know of other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel mysteries, the more we are affected by them. While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.
Verses 32-39 All things whatever, in heaven and earth, are not so great a display of God's free love, as the gift of his coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of man; and all the rest follows upon union with him, and interest in him. All things, all which can be the causes or means of any real good to the faithful Christian. He that has prepared a crown and a kingdom for us, will give us what we need in the way to it. Men may justify themselves, though the accusations are in full force against them; but if God justifies, that answers all. By Christ we are thus secured. By the merit of his death he paid our debt. Yea, rather that is risen again. This is convincing evidence that Divine justice was satisfied. We have such a Friend at the right hand of God; all power is given to him. He is there, making intercession. Believer! does your soul say within you, Oh that he were mine! and oh that I were his; that I could please him and live to him! Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubtings, but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe on Him who justifies the ungodly. You are condemned, yet Christ is dead and risen. Flee to Him as such. God having manifested his love in giving his own Son for us, can we think that any thing should turn aside or do away that love? Troubles neither cause nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the believer: none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough. All other hazards signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! though you abound with the possessions of this world, what vain things are they! Can you say of any of them, Who shall separate us? You may be removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must part, for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. And what hast thou left, poor soul, who hast not Christ, but that which thou wouldest gladly part with, and canst not; the condemning guilt of all thy sins! But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer's soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment of him for ever.
Romans 8:1-39 . CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE ARGUMENT--THE GLORIOUS COMPLETENESS OF THEM THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.
In this surpassing chapter the several streams of the preceding argument meet and flow in one "river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb," until it seems to lose itself in the ocean of a blissful eternity.
FIRST: The Sanctification of Believers ( Romans 8:1-13 ).
1. There is therefore now, &c.--referring to the immediately preceding context [OLSHAUSEN, PHILIPPI, MEYER, ALFORD, &c.]. The subject with which the seventh chapter concludes is still under consideration. The scope of Romans 8:1-4 is to show how "the law of sin and death" is deprived of its power to bring believers again into bondage, and how the holy law of God receives in them the homage of a living obedience [CALVIN, FRASER, PHILIPPI, MEYER, ALFORD, &c.].
no condemnation: to them which are in Christ Jesus--As Christ, who "knew no sin," was, to all legal effects, "made sin for us," so are we, who believe in Him, to all legal effects, "made the righteousness of God in Him" ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 ); and thus, one with Him in the divine reckoning. there is to such "NO CONDEMNATION." (Compare John 3:18 , 5:24 , Romans 5:18 Romans 5:19 ). But this is no mere legal arrangement: it is a union in life; believers, through the indwelling of Christ's Spirit in them, having one life with Him, as truly as the head and the members of the same body have one life.
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit--The evidence of manuscripts seems to show that this clause formed no part of the original text of this verse, but that the first part of it was early introduced, and the second later, from Romans 8:4 , probably as an explanatory comment, and to make the transition to Romans 8:2 easier.
2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free--rather, "freed me"--referring to the time of his conversion, when first he believed.
from the law of sin and death--It is the Holy Ghost who is here called "the Spirit of life," as opening up in the souls of believers a fountain of spiritual life just as He is called "the Spirit of truth," as "guiding them into all truth" ( John 16:13 ), and "the Spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord" ( Isaiah 11:2 ), as the inspirer of these qualities. And He is called "the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus," because it is as members of Christ that He takes up His abode in believers, who in consequence of this have one life with their Head. And as the word "law" here has the same meaning as in Romans 7:23 , namely, "an inward principle of action, operating with the fixedness and regularity of a law," it thus appears that "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" here means, "that new principle of action which the Spirit of Christ has opened up within us--the law of our new being." This "sets us free," as soon as it takes possession of our inner man, "from the law of sin and death" that is, from the enslaving power of that corrupt principle which carries death in its bosom. The "strong man armed" is overpowered by the "stronger than he"; the weaker principle is dethroned and expelled by the more powerful; the principle of spiritual life prevails against and brings into captivity the principle of spiritual death--"leading captivity captive." If this be the apostle's meaning, the whole verse is to this effect: That the triumph of believers over their inward corruption, through the power of Christ's Spirit in them, proves them to be in Christ Jesus, and as such absolved from condemnation. But this is now explained more fully.
3, 4. For what the law could not do, &c.--a difficult and much controverted verse. But it is clearly, we think, the law's inability to free us from the dominion of sin that the apostle has in view; as has partly appeared already fully appear presently. The law could irritate our sinful nature into more virulent action, as we have seen in Romans 7:5 , but it could not secure its own fulfilment. How that is accomplished comes now to be shown.
in that it was weak through the flesh--that is, having to address itself to us through a corrupt nature, too strong to be influenced by mere commands and threatenings.
God, &c.--The sentence is somewhat imperfect in its structure, which occasions a certain obscurity. The meaning is, that whereas the law was powerless to secure its own fulfilment for the reason given, God took the method now to be described for attaining that end.
sending--"having sent"
his own Son--This and similar expressions plainly imply that Christ was God's "OWN SON" before He was sent--that is, in His own proper Person, and independently of His mission and appearance in the flesh God, even as a son of his father, but is essentially of the Father, though in a sense too mysterious for any language of ours properly to define (see on the first through fourth chapters). And this peculiar relationship is put forward here to enhance the greatness and define the nature of the relief provided, as coming from beyond the precincts of sinful humanity altogether, yea, immediately from the Godhead itself.
in the likeness of sinful flesh--literally, "of the flesh of sin"; a very remarkable and pregnant expression. He was made in the reality of our flesh, but only in the likeness of its sinful condition. He took our nature as it is in us, compassed with infirmities, with nothing to distinguish Him as man from sinful men, save that He was without sin. Nor does this mean that He took our nature with all its properties save one; for sin is no property of humanity at all, but only the disordered state of our souls, as the fallen family of Adam; a disorder affecting, indeed, and overspreading our entire nature, but still purely our own.
and for sin--literally, "and about sin"; that is, "on the business of sin." The expression is purposely a general one, because the design was not to speak of Christ's mission to atone for sin, but in virtue of that atonement to destroy its dominion and extirpate it altogether from believers. We think it wrong, therefore, to render the words (as in the Margin) "by a sacrifice for sin" (suggested by the language of the Septuagint and approved by CALVIN, &c.); for this sense is too definite, and makes the idea of expiation more prominent than it is.
condemned sin--"condemned it to lose its power over men" [BEZA, BENGEL, FRASER, MEYER, THOLUCK, PHILIPPI, ALFORD]. In this glorious sense our Lord says of His approaching death ( John 12:31 ), "Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out," and again (the Spirit) shall come, He shall convince the world of . . . judgment, because the prince of this world is judged," that is, condemned to let go his hold of men, who, through the Cross, shall be emancipated into the liberty and power to be holy.
in the flesh--that is, in human nature, henceforth set free from the grasp of sin.
4. That the righteousness of the law--"the righteous demand," "the requirement" [ALFORD], Or "the precept" of the law; for it is not precisely the word so often used in this Epistle to denote "the righteousness which justifies" ( Romans 1:17 , 3:21 , Romans 4:5 Romans 4:6 , Romans 5:17 Romans 5:18 Romans 5:21 ), but another form of the same word, intended to express the enactment of the law, meaning here, we believe, the practical obedience which the law calls for.
might be fulfilled in us--or, as we say, "realized in us."
who walk--the most ancient expression of the bent of one's life, whether in the direction of good or of evil ( Genesis 48:15 , Psalms 1:1 , Isaiah 2:5 , Micah 4:5 , Ephesians 4:17 , 1 John 1:6 1 John 1:7 ).
not after--that is, according to the dictates of
the flesh, but after the spirit--From Romans 8:9 it would seem that what is more immediately intended by "the spirit" here is our own mind as renewed and actuated by the Holy Ghost.
5. For they that are after the flesh--that is, under the influence of the fleshly principle.
do mind--give their attention to ( Philippians 3:19 ).
the things of the flesh, &c.--Men must be under the predominating influence of one or other of these two principles, and, according as the one or the other has the mastery, will be the complexion of their life, the character of their actions.
6. For--a mere particle of transition here [THOLUCK], like "but" or "now."
to be carnally minded--literally, "the mind" or "minding of the flesh" (Margin); that is, the pursuit of fleshly ends.
is death--not only "ends in" [ALFORD, &c.], but even now "is"; carrying death into its bosom, so that such are "dead while they live" ( 1 Timothy 5:6 , Ephesians 2:1 Ephesians 2:5 ) [PHILIPPI].
but to be spiritually minded--"the mind" or "minding of the spirit"; that is, the pursuit of spiritual objects.
is life and peace--not "life" only, in contrast with the "death" that is in the other pursuit, but "peace"; it is the very element of the soul's deepest repose and true bliss.
7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God--The desire and pursuit of carnal ends is a state of enmity to God, wholly incompatible with true life and peace in the soul.
for it is not subject--"doth not submit itself."
to the law of God, neither indeed can be--In such a state of mind there neither is nor can be the least subjection to the law of God. Many things may be done which the law requires, but nothing either is or can be done because God's law requires it, or purely to please God.
8. So then--nearly equivalent to "And so."
they that are in--and, therefore, under the government of
the flesh cannot please God--having no obediential principle, no desire to please Him.
9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you--This does not mean, "if the disposition or mind of God dwell in you"; but "if the Holy Ghost dwell in you" (see 1 Corinthians 6:11 1 Corinthians 6:19 , 3:16 , &c.). (It thus appears that to be "in the spirit" means here to be under the dominion of our own renewed mind; because the indwelling of God's Spirit is given as the evidence that we are "in the spirit").
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ--Again, this does not mean "the disposition or mind of Christ," but the Holy Ghost; here called "the Spirit of Christ," just as He is called "the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" It is as "the Spirit of Christ" that the Holy Ghost takes possession of believers, introducing into them all the gracious, dove-like disposition which dwelt in Him ( Matthew 3:16 , John 3:34 ). Now if any man's heart be void, not of such dispositions, but of the blessed Author of them, "the Spirit of Christ."
he is none of his--even though intellectually convinced of the truth of Christianity, and in a general sense influence by its spirit. Sharp, solemn statement this!
10, 11. And if Christ be in you--by His indwelling Spirit in virtue of which we have one life with him.
the body--"the body indeed."
is dead because of--"by reason of"
sin; but the spirit is life because--or, "by reason"
of righteousness--The word "indeed," which the original requires, is of the nature of a concession--"I grant you that the body is dead . . . and so far redemption is incomplete, but," &c.; that is, "If Christ be in you by His indwelling Spirit, though your 'bodies' have to pass through the stage of 'death' in consequence of the first Adam's 'sin,' your spirit is instinct with new and undying 'life,' brought in by the 'righteousness' of the second Adam" [THOLUCK, MEYER, and ALFORD in part, but only HODGE entirely].
11. But--"And."
if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you--that is, "If He dwell in you as the Spirit of the Christ-raising One," or, "in all the resurrection-power which He put forth in raising Jesus."
he that raised up Christ from the dead--Observe the change of name from Jesus, as the historical Individual whom God raised from the dead, to CHRIST, the same Individual, considered as the Lord and Head of all His members, or of redeemed Humanity [ALFORD].
shall also quicken--rather, "shall quicken even"
your mortal bodies by--the true reading appears to be "by reason of."
his Spirit that dwelleth in you--"Your bodies indeed are not exempt from the death which sin brought in; but your spirits even now have in them an undying life, and if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, even these bodies of yours, though they yield to the last enemy and the dust of them return to the dust as it was, shall yet experience the same resurrection as that of their living Head, in virtue of the indwelling of same Spirit in you that quickened Him."
12, 13. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh--"Once we were sold under sin ( Romans 7:14 ); but now that we have been set free from that hard master and become servants to Righteousness ( Romans 6:22 ), we owe nothing to the flesh, we disown its unrighteous claims and are deaf to its imperious demands." Glorious sentiment!
13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die--in the sense of Romans 6:21 .
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the
ye shall live--in the sense of Romans 6:22 . The apostle is not satisfied with assuring them that they are under no obligations to the flesh, to hearken to its suggestions, without reminding them where it will end if they do; and he uses the word "mortify" (put to death) as a kind of play upon the word "die" just before. "If ye do not kill sin, it will kill you." But he tempers this by the bright alternative, that if they do, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, such a course will infallibly terminate in "life" everlasting. And this leads the apostle into a new line of thought, opening into his final subject, the "glory" awaiting the justified believer.
Note, (1) "There can be no safety, no holiness, no happiness, to those who are out of Christ: No "safety," because all such are under the condemnation of the law ( Romans 8:1 ); no holiness, because such only as are united to Christ have the spirit of Christ ( Romans 8:9 ); no happiness, because to be "carnally minded is death" ( Romans 8:6 )" [HODGE]. (2) The sanctification of believers, as it has its whole foundation in the atoning death, so it has its living spring in the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ ( Romans 8:2-4 ). (3) "The bent of the thoughts, affections, and pursuits, is the only decisive test of character ( Romans 8:5 )" [HODGE]. (4) No human refinement of the carnal mind will make it spiritual, or compensate for the absence of spirituality. "Flesh" and "spirit" are essentially and unchangeably opposed; nor can the carnal mind, as such, be brought into real subjection to the law of God ( Romans 8:5-7 ). Hence (5) the estrangement of God and the sinner is mutual. For as the sinner's state of mind is "enmity against God" ( Romans 8:7 ), so in this state he "cannot please God" ( Romans 8:8 ). (6) Since the Holy Ghost is, in the same breath, called indiscriminately "the Spirit of God," "the Spirit of Christ," and "Christ" Himself (as an indwelling life in believers), the essential unity and yet Personal distinctness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, m the one adorable Godhead must be believed, as the only consistent explanation of such language ( Romans 8:9-11 ). (7) The consciousness of spiritual life in our renewed souls is a glorious assurance of resurrection life in the body also, in virtue of the same quickening Spirit whose inhabitation we already enjoy ( Romans 8:11 ). (8) Whatever professions of spiritual life men may make, it remains eternally true that "if we live after the flesh we shall die," and only "if we through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body we shall live" ( Romans 8:13 , and compare Galatians 6:7 Galatians 6:8 , Ephesians 5:6 , Philippians 3:18 Philippians 3:19 , 1 John 3:7 1 John 3:8 ).
SECOND: The Sonship of Believers--Their Future Inheritance--The Intercession of the Spirit for Them ( Romans 8:14-27 ).
14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, they, &c.--"these are sons of God." Hitherto the apostle has spoken of the Spirit simply as a power through which believers mortify sin: now he speaks of Him as a gracious, loving Guide, whose "leading"--enjoyed by all in whom is the Spirit of God's dear Son--shows that they also are "sons of God."
15. For, &c.--"For ye received not (at the time of your conversion) the spirit of bondage," that is, "The spirit ye received was not a spirit of bondage."
to fear--as under the law which "worketh wrath," that is, "Such was your condition before ye believed, living in legal bondage, haunted with incessant forebodings under a sense of unpardoned sin. But it was not to perpetuate that wretched state that ye received the Spirit."
but ye have received--"ye received."
the spirit of adoption, whereby--rather, "wherein."
we cry, Abba, Father--The word "cry" is emphatic, expressing the spontaneousness, the strength, and the exuberance of the final emotions. In Galatians 4:6 this cry is said to proceed from the Spirit in us, drawing forth the filial exclamation in our hearts. Here, it is said to proceed from our own hearts under the vitalizing energy of the Spirit, as the very element of the new life in believers (compare Matthew 10:19 Matthew 10:20 ; and "Abba" is the Syro-Chaldaic word for "Father"; and the Greek word for that is added, not surely to tell the reader that both mean the same thing, but for the same reason which drew both words from the lips of Christ Himself during his agony in the garden ( Mark 14:36 ). He, doubtless, loved to utter His Father's name in both the accustomed forms; beginning with His cherished mother tongue, and adding that of the learned. In this view the use of both words here has a charming simplicity and warmth.
16. The Spirit itself--It should be "Himself"
beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children--"are children"
of God--The testimony of our own spirit is borne in that cry of conscious sonship, "Abba, Father"; but we are not therein alone; for the Holy Ghost within us, yea, even in that very cry which it is His to draw forth, sets His own distinct seal to ours; and thus, "in the mouth of two witnesses" the thing is established. The apostle had before called us "sons of God," referring to our adoption; here the word changes to "children," referring to our new birth. The one expresses the dignity to which we are admitted; the other the new life which we receive. The latter is more suitable here; because a son by adoption might not be heir of the property, whereas a son by birth certainly is, and this is what the apostle is now coming to.
17. And if children, then heirs--"heirs also."
heirs of God--of our Father's kingdom.
and joint-heirs with Christ--as the "First-born among many brethren" ( Romans 8:29 ), and as "Heir of all things" ( Hebrews 1:2 ).
if so be that we suffer--"provided we be suffering with Him."
that we may be also glorified together--with Him. This necessity of conformity to Christ in suffering in order to participate in His glory, is taught alike by Christ Himself and by His apostles ( John 12:24-26 Matthew 16:24 Matthew 16:25 2 Timothy 2:12 ).
18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us--that is, "True, we must suffer with Christ, if we would partake of His glory; but what of that? For if such sufferings are set over against the coming glory, they sink into insignificance."
19-22. For, &c.--"The apostle, fired with the thought of the future glory of the saints, pours forth this splendid passage, in which he represents the whole creation groaning under its present degradation, and looking and longing for the revelation of this glory as the end and consummation of its existence" [HODGE].
the earnest expectation--(compare Philippians 1:20 ).
of the creature--rather, "the creation."
waiteth for the manifestation--"is waiting for the revelation"
of the sons of God--that is, "for the redemption of their bodies" from the grave ( Romans 8:23 ), which will reveal their sonship, now hidden (compare Luke 20:36 , Revelation 21:7 ).
20. For the creature--"the creation."
was made subject to vanity, not willingly--that is, through no natural principle of decay. The apostle, personifying creation, represents it as only submitting to the vanity with which it was smitten, on man's account, in obedience to that superior power which had mysteriously linked its destinies with man's. And so he adds
but by reason of him who hath subjected the same--"who subjected it."
in hope--or "in hope that."
21. Because the creature itself also--"even the creation itself."
shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption--its bondage to the principle of decay.
into the glorious liberty--rather, "the liberty of the glory."
of the children of God--that is, the creation itself shall, in a glorious sense, be delivered into that freedom from debility and decay in which the children of God, when raised up in glory, shall expatiate: into this freedom from corruptibility the creation itself shall, in a glorious sense, be delivered (So CALVIN, BEZA, BENGEL, THOLUCK, OLSHAUSEN, DE WETTE, MEYER, PHILIPPI, HODGE, ALFORD, &c.).
22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now--If for man's sake alone the earth was cursed, it cannot surprise us that it should share in his recovery. And if so, to represent it as sympathizing with man's miseries, and as looking forward to his complete redemption as the period of its own emancipation from its present sin-blighted condition, is a beautiful thought, and in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture on the subject.
23. And not only they, but ourselves also--or "not only [so], but even we ourselves"--that is, besides the inanimate creation.
which have the first-fruits of the Spirit--or, "the Spirit as the first-fruits" of our full redemption (compare 2 Corinthians 1:22 ), moulding the heart to a heavenly frame and attempering it to its future element.
even we ourselves--though we have so much of heaven already within us.
groan within ourselves--under this "body of sin and death," and under the manifold "vanity and vexation of spirit" that are written upon every object and every pursuit and every enjoyment under the sun.
waiting for the--manifestation of our
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body--from the grave: "not (be it observed) the deliverance of ourselves from the body, but the redemption of the body itself from the grave" [BENGEL].
24. For we are saved by hope--rather, "For in hope we are saved"; that is, it is more a salvation in hope than as yet in actual possession.
but hope that is seen is not hope--for the very meaning of hope is, the expectation that something now future will become present.
for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?--the latter ending when the other comes.
25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it--that is, then, patient waiting for it is our fitting attitude.
26, 27. Likewise the Spirit also, &c.--or, "But after the like manner doth the Spirit also help.
our infirmities--rather (according to the true reading), "our infirmity"; not merely the one infirmity here specified, but the general weakness of the spiritual life in its present state, of which one example is here given.
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought--It is not the proper matter of prayer that believers are at so much loss about, for the fullest directions are given them on this head: but to ask for the right things "as they ought" is the difficulty. This arises partly from the dimness of our spiritual vision in the present veiled state, while we have to "walk by faith, not by sight" feelings which spring from the fleeting objects of sense that there is in the very best views and affections of our renewed nature; partly also from the necessary imperfection of all human language as a vehicle for expressing the subtle spiritual feelings of the heart. In these circumstances, how can it be but that much uncertainty should surround all our spiritual exercises, and that in our nearest approaches and in the freest outpourings of our hearts to our Father in heaven, doubts should spring up within us whether our frame of mind in such exercises is altogether befitting and well pleasing to God? Nor do these anxieties subside, but rather deepen, with the depth and ripeness of our spiritual experience.
but the Spirit itself--rather, "Himself." (See end of Romans 8:27 ).
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered--that is, which cannot be expressed in articulate language. Sublime and affecting ideas, for which we are indebted to this passage alone! "As we struggle to express in articulate language the desires of our hearts and find that our deepest emotions are the most inexpressible, we 'groan' under this felt inability. But not in vain are these groanings. For 'the Spirit Himself' is in them, giving to the emotions which He Himself has kindled the only language of which they are capable; so that though on our part they are the fruit of impotence to utter what we feel, they are at the same time the intercession of the Spirit Himself in our behalf."
27. And--rather, "But," inarticulate though these groanings be.
he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he--the Spirit
maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God--As the Searcher of hearts, He watches the surging emotions of them in prayer, and knows perfectly what the Spirit means by the groanings which He draws forth within us, because that blessed Intercessor pleads by them only for what God Himself designs to bestow.
Note, (1) Are believers "led by the Spirit of God" ( Romans 8:14 )? How careful then should they be not to "grieve the Holy Spirit of God" ( Ephesians 4:30 )! Compare Psalms 32:8 Psalms 32:9 : "I will . . . guide thee with Mine eye. Be not (then) as the horse, or as the mule," &c. (2) "The spirit of bondage," to which many Protestants are "all their lifetime subject," and the "doubtsome faith" which the Popish Church systematically inculcates, are both rebuked here, being in direct and painful contrast to that "spirit of adoption," and that witness of the Spirit, along with our own spirit, to the fact of our sonship, which it is here said the children of God, as such, enjoy ( Romans 8:15 Romans 8:16 ). (3) As suffering with Christ is the ordained preparation for participating in this glory, so the insignificance of the one as compared with the other cannot fail to lighten the sense of it, however bitter and protracted ( Romans 8:17 Romans 8:18 ). (4) It cannot but swell the heart of every intelligent Christian to think that if external nature has been mysteriously affected for evil by the fall of man, it only awaits his completed recovery, at the resurrection, to experience a corresponding emancipation from its blighted condition into undecaying life and unfading beauty ( Romans 8:19-23 ). (5) It is not when believers, through sinful "quenching of the Spirit," have the fewest and faintest glimpses of heaven, that they sigh most fervently to be there; but, on the contrary, when through the unobstructed working of the Spirit in their hearts, "the first-fruits" of the glory to be revealed are most largely and frequently tasted, then, and just for that reason, is it that they "groan within themselves" for full redemption ( Romans 8:23 ). For thus they reason:If such be the drops, what will the ocean be? If thus "to see through a glass darkly" be so very sweet, what will it be to "see face to face?" If when "my Beloved stands behind our wall, looking forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice" ( Solomon 2:9 )--that thin veil which parts the seen from the unseen--if He is even thus to me "Fairer than the children of men," what shall He be when He stands confessed before my undazzled vision, the Only-begotten of the Father in my own nature, and I shall be like Him, for I shall see Him as He is? (6) "The patience of hope" ( 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ) is the fitting attitude for those who with the joyful consciousness that they are already "saved" ( 2 Timothy 1:9 , Titus 3:5 ), have yet the painful consciousness that they are saved but in part: or, "that being justified by His grace, they are made (in the present state) heirs according to the hope (only) of eternal life," Titus 3:7 ( Romans 8:24 Romans 8:25 ). (7) As prayer is the breath of the spiritual life, and the believer's only effectual relief under the "infirmity" which attaches to his whole condition here below, how cheering is it to be assured that the blessed Spirit, cognizant of it all, comes in aid of it all; and in particular, that when believers, unable to articulate their case before God, can at times do nothing but lie "groaning" before the Lord, these inarticulate groanings are the Spirit's own vehicle for conveying into "the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth" their whole case; and come up before the Hearer of prayer as the Spirit's own intercession in their behalf, and that they are recognized by Him that sitteth on the Throne, as embodying only what His own "will" determined before to bestow upon them ( Romans 8:26 Romans 8:27 )! (8) What a view do these two verses ( Romans 8:26 Romans 8:27 ) give of the relations subsisting between the Divine Persons in the economy of redemption, and the harmony of their respective operations in the case of each of the redeemed!
THIRD: Triumphant Summary of the Whole Argument ( Romans 8:28-39 ).
28. And--or, "Moreover," or "Now"; noting a transition to a new particular.
we know, &c.--The order in the original is more striking: "We know that to them that love God" (compare 1 Corinthians 2:9 , Ephesians 6:24 , 1:12 , 2:5 ) "all things work together for good [even] to them who are the called (rather, 'who are called') according to His (eternal) purpose." Glorious assurance! And this, it seems, was a "household word," a "known" thing, among believers. This working of all things for good is done quite naturally to "them that love God," because such souls, persuaded that He who gave His own Son for them cannot but mean them well in all His procedure, learn thus to take in good part whatever He sends them, however trying to flesh and blood: and to them who are the called, according to "His purpose," all things do in the same intelligible way "work together for good"; for, even when "He hath His way in the whirlwind," they see "His chariot paved with love" ( Solomon 3:10 ). And knowing that it is in pursuance of an eternal "purpose" of love that they have been "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" ( 1 Corinthians 1:9 ), they naturally say within themselves, "It cannot be that He 'of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things,' should suffer that purpose to be thwarted by anything really adverse to us, or that He should not make all things, dark as well as light, crooked as well as straight, to co-operate to the furtherance and final completion of His high design."
29. For--as touching this "calling according to his purpose" ( Romans 8:28 ).
whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate--foreordain. In what sense are we to take the word "foreknow" here? "Those who He foreknew would repent and believe," say Pelagians of every age and every hue. But this is to thrust into the text what is contrary to the whole spirit, and even letter, of the apostle's teaching (see Romans 9:11 , 2 Timothy 1:9 ). In Romans 11:2 , and Psalms 1:6 , God's "knowledge " of His people cannot be restricted to a mere foresight of future events, or acquaintance with what is passing here below. Does "whom He did foreknow," then, mean "whom He foreordained?" Scarcely, because both "foreknowledge" and "foreordination" are here mentioned, and the one as the cause of the other. It is difficult indeed for our limited minds to distinguish them as states of the Divine Mind towards men; especially since in Acts 2:23 "the counsel" is put before "the foreknowledge of God," while in 1 Peter 1:2 "election" is said to be "according to the foreknowledge of God." But probably God's foreknowledge of His own people means His "peculiar, gracious, complacency in them," while His "predestinating" or "foreordaining" them signifies His fixed purpose, flowing from this, to "save them and call them with an holy calling" ( 2 Timothy 1:9 ).
to be conformed to the image of his Son--that is, to be His sons after the pattern, model, or image of His Sonship in our nature.
that he might be the first-born among many brethren--"The First-born," the Son by nature; His "many brethren," sons by adoption: He, in the Humanity of the Only-begotten of the Father, bearing our sins on the accursed tree; they in that of mere men ready to perish by reason of sin, but redeemed by His blood from condemnation and wrath, and transformed into His likeness: He "the First-born from the dead"; they "that sleep in Jesus," to be in due time "brought with Him"; "The First-born," now "crowned with glory and honor"; His "many brethren," "when He shall appear, to be like Him, for they shall see Him as He is."
30. Moreover--"And," or "Now"; explanatory of Romans 8:29 --In "predestinating us to be conformed to the image of His Son" in final glory, He settled all the successive steps of it. Thus
whom he did predestinate, them he also called--The word "called" (as HODGE and others truly observe) is never in the Epistles of the New Testament applied to those who have only the outward invitation of the Gospel (as in Matthew 20:16 , 22:14 ). It always means "internally, effectually, savingly called." It denotes the first great step in personal salvation and answers to "conversion." Only the word conversion expresses the change of character which then takes place, whereas this "calling" expresses the divine authorship of the change, and the sovereign power by which we are summoned, Matthew-like, Zaccheus-like, out of our old, wretched, perishing condition, into a new, safe, blessed life.
and whom he called--thus.
them he also justified--brought into the definite state of reconciliation already so fully described.
and whom he justified, them he also glorified--brought to final glory ( Romans 8:17 Romans 8:18 ). Noble climax, and so rhythmically expressed! And all this is viewed as past; because, starting from the past decree of "predestination to be conformed to the image of God's Son" of which the other steps are but the successive unfoldings--all is beheld as one entire, eternally completed salvation.
31. What shall we then say to these things?--"We can no farther go, think, wish" [BENGEL]. This whole passage, to Romans 8:34 , and even to the end of the chapter, strikes all thoughtful interpreters and readers, as transcending almost every thing in language, while OLSHAUSEN notices the "profound and colossal" character of the thought.
If God be for us, who can be against us?--If God be resolved and engaged to bring us through, all our enemies must be His; and "Who would set the briers and thorns against Him in battle? He would go through them. He would burn them together" ( Isaiah 27:4 ). What strong consolation is here! Nay, but the great Pledge of all has already been given; for,
32. He--rather, "He surely." (It is a pity to lose the emphatic particle of the original).
that spared not--"withheld not," "kept not back." This expressive phrase, as well as the whole thought, is suggested by Genesis 22:12 , where Jehovah's touching commendation of Abraham's conduct regarding his son Isaac seems designed to furnish something like a glimpse into the spirit of His own act in surrendering His own Son. "Take now (said the Lord to Abraham) thy son, thine only, whom thou lovest, and . . . offer him for a burnt offering" ( Genesis 22:2 ); and only when Abraham had all but performed that loftiest act of self-sacrifice, the Lord interposed, saying, "Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou HAST NOT WITHHELD THY SON, THINE ONLY SON, from Me." In the light of this incident, then, and of this language, our apostle can mean to convey nothing less than this, that in "not sparing His own Son, but delivering Him up," or surrendering Him, God exercised, in His Paternal character, a mysterious act of Self-sacrifice, which, though involving none of the pain and none of the loss which are inseparable from the very idea of self-sacrifice on our part, was not less real, but, on the contrary, as far transcended any such acts of ours as His nature is above the creature's. But this is inconceivable if Christ be not God's "own (or proper) Son," partaker of His very nature, as really as Isaac was of his father Abraham's. In that sense, certainly, the Jews charged our Lord with making Himself "equal with not to disown, but to illustrate and confirm. Understand Christ's Sonship thus, and the language of Scripture regarding it is intelligible and harmonious; but take it to be an artificial relationship, ascribed to Him in virtue either of His miraculous birth, or His resurrection from the dead, or the grandeur of His works, or all of these together--and the passages which speak of it neither explain of themselves nor harmonize with each other.
delivered him up--not to death merely (as many take it), for that is too narrow an idea here, but "surrendered Him" in the most comprehensive sense; compare John 3:16 , "God so loved the world that He GAVE His only-begotten Son."
for us all--that is, for all believers alike; as nearly every good interpreter admits must be the meaning here.
how shall he not--how can we conceive that He should not.
with him also--rather, "also with Him." (The word "also" is often so placed in our version as to obscure the sense;
freely give us all things?--all other gifts being not only immeasurably less than this Gift of gifts, but virtually included in it.
33, 34. Who shall lay anything to the charge of--or, "bring any charge against."
God's elect?--the first place in this Epistle where believers are styled "the elect." In what sense this is meant will appear in next chapter.
34. yea rather, that is risen again--to make good the purposes of His death. Here, as in some other cases, the apostle delightfully corrects himself (see Galatians 4:9 ; and was of more saving value than His death, but that having "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself"--which though precious to us was to Him of unmingled bitterness--it was incomparably more delightful to think that He was again alive, and living to see to the efficacy of His death in our behalf.
who is even--"also"
at the right hand of God--The right hand of the king was anciently the seat of honor (compare 1 Samuel 20:25 , 1 Kings 2:19 , Psalms 45:9 ), and denoted participation in the royal power and glory ( Matthew 20:21 ). The classical writings contain similar allusions. Accordingly Christ's sitting at the right hand of God--predicted in Psalms 110:1 , and historically referred to in 16:19 , Acts 2:33 , 7:56 , Ephesians 1:20 , Colossians 3:1 , 1 Peter 3:22 , Revelation 3:21 --signifies the glory of the exalted Son of man, and the power in the government of the world in which He participates. Hence it is called "sitting on the right hand of Power" ( Matthew 26:64 ), and "sitting on the right hand of the Majesty on high" ( Hebrews 1:3 ) [PHILIPPI].
who also maketh intercession for us--using all His boundless interest with God in our behalf. This is the top of the climax. "His Session at God's right hand denotes His power to save us; His Intercession, His will to do it" [BENGEL]. But how are we to conceive of this intercession? Not certainly as of one pleading "on bended knees and with outstretched arms," to use the expressive language of CALVIN. But yet, neither is it merely a figurative intimation that the power of Christ's redemption is continually operative [THOLUCK], or merely to show the fervor and vehemence of His love for us [CHRYSOSTOM]. It cannot be taken to mean less than this: that the glorified Redeemer, conscious of His claims, expressly signifies His will that the efficacy of His death should be made good to the uttermost, and signifies it in some such royal style as we find Him employing in that wonderful Intercessory Prayer which He spoke as from within the veil "Father, I WILL that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am" in what form this will is expressed is as undiscoverable as it is unimportant.
35, 36. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?--This does not mean "our love to Christ," as if, Who shall hinder us from loving Christ? but "Christ's love to us," as is clear from the closing words of the chapter, which refer to the same subject. Nor would the other sense harmonize with the scope of the chapter, which is to exhibit the ample ground of the believer's confidence in Christ. "It is no ground of confidence to assert, or even to feel, that we will never forsake Christ; but it is the strongest ground of assurance to be convinced that His love will never change" [HODGE].
shall tribulation, &c.--"None of these, nor all together, how terrible soever to the flesh, are tokens of God's wrath, or the least ground for doubt of His love. From whom could such a question come better than from one who had himself for Christ's sake endured so much? (See 2 Corinthians 11:11-33 , 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 ). The apostle says not (remarks CALVIN nobly) "What," but "Who," just as if all creatures and all afflictions were so many gladiators taking arms against the Christians [THOLUCK].
36. As it is written, For thy sake, &c.--( Psalms 44:22 )--quoted as descriptive of what God's faithful people may expect from their enemies at any period when their hatred of righteousness is roused, and there is nothing to restrain it (see Galatians 4:29 ).
37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us--not, "We are so far from being conquered by them, that they do us much good" [HODGE]; for though this be true, the word means simply, "We are pre-eminently conquerors." so far are they from "separating us from Christ's love," that it is just "through Him that loved us" that we are victorious over them.
38, 39. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers--whether good or bad. But as the bad are not called "angels," or "principalities," or "powers," save with some addition to show that such are meant ( Matthew 25:41 , Colossians 2:15 , Ephesians 6:12 , 2 Peter 2:4 --except perhaps 1 Corinthians 6:3 ), probably the good are meant here, but merely as the same apostle supposes an angel from heaven to preach a false gospel. (So the best interpreters).
nor things present, nor things to come--no condition of the present life and none of the unknown possibilities of the life to come.
39. nor any other creature--rather, "created thing"--any other thing in the whole created universe of God
shall be able to separate us, &c.--"All the terms here are to be taken in their most general sense, and need no closer definition. The indefinite expressions are meant to denote all that can be thought of, and are only a rhetorical paraphrase of the conception of allness" [OLSHAUSEN].
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord--Thus does this wonderful chapter, with which the argument of the Epistle properly closes, leave us who are "justified by faith" in the arms of everlasting Love, whence no hostile power or conceivable event can ever tear us. "Behold what manner of love is this?" And "what manner of persons ought we to be," who are thus "blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ?"
Note, (1) There is a glorious consistency between the eternal purposes of God and the free agency of men, though the link of connection is beyond human, perhaps created, apprehension ( Romans 8:28 ). (2) How ennobling is the thought that the complicated movements of the divine government of the world are all arranged in expressed furtherance of the "good" of God's chosen ( Romans 8:28 )! (3) To whatever conformity to the Son of God in dignity and glory, believers are or shall hereafter be raised, it will be the joy of everyone of them, as it is most fitting, "that in all things He should have the pre-eminence" ( Colossians 1:18 ), ( Romans 8:29 ). (4) "As there is a beautiful harmony and necessary connection between the several doctrines of grace, so must there be a like harmony in the character of the Christian. He cannot experience the joy and confidence flowing from his election without the humility which" the consideration of its being gratuitous must produce; nor can he have the peace of one who is justified without the holiness of one who is saved" ( Romans 8:29 Romans 8:30 ) [HODGE]. (5) However difficult it may be for finite minds to comprehend the emotions of the Divine Mind, let us never for a moment doubt that in "not sparing His own Son, but delivering Him up for us all," God made a real sacrifice of all that was dearest to His heart, and that in so doing He meant for ever to assure His people that all other things which they need--inasmuch as they are nothing to this stupendous gift, and indeed but the necessary sequel of it--will in due time be forthcoming ( Romans 8:32 ). (6) In return for such a sacrifice on God's part, what can be considered too great on ours? (7) If there could be any doubt as to the meaning of the all-important word "JUSTIFICATION" in this Epistle--whether, as the Church of Rome teaches, and many others affirm, it means "infusing righteousness into the unholy, so as to make them righteous," or, according to Protestant teaching, "absolving, acquitting, or pronouncing righteous the guilty" Romans 8:33 ought to set such doubt entirely at rest. For the apostle's question in this verse is, "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" In other words, "Who shall pronounce" or "hold them guilty?" seeing that "God justifies" them: showing beyond all doubt, that to "justify" was intended to express precisely the opposite of "holding guilty"; and consequently (as CALVIN triumphantly argues) that it means "to absolve from the charge of guilt." (8) If there could be any reasonable doubt in what light the death of Christ is to be regarded in this Epistle, Romans 8:34 ought to set that doubt entirely at rest. For there the apostle's question is, Who shall "condemn" God's elect, since "Christ died" for them; showing beyond all doubt (as PHILIPPI justly argues) that it was the expiatory (character of that death which the apostle had in view). (9) What an affecting view of the love of Christ does it give us to learn that His greatest nearness to God and most powerful interest with Him--as "seated on His right hand"--is employed in behalf of His people here below ( Romans 8:34 )! (10) "The whole universe, with all that it contains, so far as it is good, is the friend and ally of the Christian; and, so far as it is evil, is more than a conquered foe" ( Romans 8:35-39 ) [HODGE]. (11) Are we who "have tasted that the Lord is gracious," both "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" ( 1 Peter 1:5 ), and embraced in the arms of Invincible Love? Then surely, while "building ourselves up on our most holy faith," and "praying in the Holy Ghost," only the more should we feel constrained to "keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" ( Jude 1:20 Jude 1:21 ).


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Who Heck Is #BethanyYoung? The 7 Best PLL Twitter Theories
During last week's 100th episode of Pretty Little Liars, the name of the girl buried in Alison's grave was finally revealedBethany Young, a patient at Radley who escaped the same night that Ali disappeared. For about two seconds, we felt relieved to have that mystery solved, but then we we were faced with the next burning question: "Who's Bethany Young?!?"
While last night's episode didn't offer too many clues, lucky for us, five seasons of "A" has turned PLL fans into pretty good detectives. Check out the best #BethanyYoung Twitter theoriesthen tell us yours!
Alison's twin
#BethanyYoung (Ali's Twin) hated Mrs D for giving her away and choosing Ali over her. Hence the spooky drawing and trying to kill Ali. #PLL
Surandi Fernando (@surandifernando) July 16, 2014
Mr. Hastings' daughter with Mrs. DiLaurentis
@AshleyMova @SineaddeVries @StephanieLGray @MegLamontagne #BethanyYoung Ali and Spencer's half sister #PLL #PLLDAY #pllas
Corey N. Webster (@wEbstEr_cOrEy) July 16, 2014
What if #BethanyYoung is #A?! Or Ali's twin? #PrettyLittleLiars @ABCFpll
Rhiannon M. Hadley (@hadley_rhiannon) July 16, 2014
The girl Jason saw with Melissa that night
Love this theory. #pll #plltheory #jasondilaurentis #cecedrake #bethanyyoung pic.twitter.com/EFHnPwb1FZ
PLLRosewood101 (@PLLRosewood101) July 13, 2014
Toby's mom's killer!
Who is with me and thinks #bethanyyoung killed #MrsCavanaugh ? ^^ https://t.co/JstAz97Rus
benzoholic ! (@carlyhami) July 9, 2014
Someone who knew too much...
What if Bethany Young was killed because she know who was A? #PLL
Catrel Cathey (@CatrelCathey) July 16, 2014
Jason's Twin?!
Theory: Bethany Young is Jason's twin. And this secret Peter does not want Veronica to know! #PLL pic.twitter.com/qvnVlCnGsQ
'Rosewood Liars' (@miss_jillyb) July 15, 2014
When it comes to PLL the possibilities are endless...
These PLL fans think they know who #BethanyYoung isdo you?? Share your theories in the comments below!
7 Times Hanna Was The Best Thing That Ever Happened On Pretty Little Liars


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Valedictorian Asks Peers to Remember Families
June 16, 2011 by TMO · Leave a Comment
By Sarah Plummer
Every parking space was filled at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center Saturday for Woodrow Wilson's 85th commencement ceremony. Cars lined Armory Drive and parked in median grass. Without even entering the venue, it was evident many friends and family members came to support the 323 graduates of 2011.
Although the crowd had gathered to praise the students' achievements, each speaker at the event expressed gratitude to those in attendance — family, teachers and friends — who supported them through their education.
Valedictorian Sania Rahim said she and her peers had "matured together."
She asked her fellow students to remember their families and the many sacrifices that allowed the graduates to be where they are today.
She also requested that they acknowledge their teachers.
"They have seen us at our best and our worst," Rahim said.
Salutatorian Emily Wright said the class has "spent the last 13 years heading toward their future."
And after asking those present to think back on their first day of school, she told them what she has learned most was "to enjoy today while it lasts because the last 13 years have passed in a flash."
Wright noted that each graduate has the opportunity to leave a mark on the world, "whether they become president of the United States or just volunteer locally."
Another life lesson Wright said she has learned over the years is that "every bad experience is a chance to do better and learn from your mistakes."
And finally, she said, she has learned, "some things do not have price tags — like love, honor freedom and peace."
Woodrow Wilson High School's 2011 honorarian is Tyler Bonnett.
Graduating seniors Leah Drumheller, Rebekah Stone and Morgan Wright sang "I'll Always Remember You" with guitar accompaniment as a special musical selection.
Before presenting the senior class to Superintendent Charlotte Hutchens, principal Charles Maynard said his students achieved their recognition with "hard work," and he asked them to leave knowing they had reached a great accomplishment.
"And I hope and pray that you continue to work hard to reach your goals."
Hutchens added that, even though she has attended many graduations, she still enjoys them.
"I like graduations because it's a time of excitement, anticipation and hope," she said.
Board members Richard Jarrell and Jack Roop participated in the presentation of diplomas. Board member Larry Ford and Nelson Spencer, director of secondary education, were also present.


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Program Director: Jennifer Kalish, 213-893-0534
Jennifer Kalish oversees the Los Angeles JusticeCorps program on a daily basis. Ms. Kalish designs and coordinates partner and member trainings, directs program staff, and oversees the collection of data for performance measurements that show the impact of the program. Ms. Kalish has been with the Los Angeles JusticeCorps program since it began in 2004. She holds a Bachelors in history from Cal Poly San Louis Obispo as well as a Masters and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in history from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). As a graduate student at UCLA Ms. Kalish worked at the Center for Community Learning where she discovered her passion for working with students engaged in community service. Working with the JusticeCorps members and watching them grow through their experiences in the program is Ms. Kalish's favorite part of her job.
Senior Program Coordinator: Sheree Andaya, 213-893-0536
Sheree Andaya plans, coordinates, and provides administrative support for all JusticeCorps program operations, including assisting in member and court staff trainings, tracking member hours, coordinating fiscal paperwork, and entering data pertaining to JusticeCorps performance measurements. Ms. Andaya has been with the Los Angeles JusticeCorps program since it began in 2004. Ms. Andaya received a Bachelors is biology from Mount St. Mary's College in 1998 and a Masters in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2004. Having the opportunity to work directly with the members is Ms. Andaya's favorite part of her job.
Program Coordinator: Tony Magana
Antonio Magana has been with the Los Angeles Superior Court for 5 years and with the JusticeCorps program for 1 year. His position is responsible for providing administrative support to the program staff, including tracking and collecting member paperwork, processing member travel reimbursements, and providing support to coordinate trainings.


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Description: Quilts That Celebrate Spring & Summer Book by Karen Combs, Bethany Reynolds & Joan Shay. Celebrate your favorite season making one of these 4 quilt projects with styles that range from enchanting applique to dazzling patchwork. Learn about Magic Stack-n-Whack, 3-D Appli-bond, and other creative techniques. Soft cover, 32 pages.
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Palestine Projects
About CPT Palestine
CPT Palestine is a faith-based organization that supports Palestinian-led, nonviolent, grassroots resistance to the Israeli occupation and the unjust structures that uphold it. By collaborating with local Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers and educating people in our home communities, we help create a space for justice and peace.
We maintain a project in the southern West Bank city of Hebron (Al-Khalil in Arabic).
The Work of CPT Palestine:
- Supporting Palestinian nonviolent resistance to the occupation in coordination with Israeli and international organizations
- Providing daily accompaniment for Palestinian children walking to and from school
- Accompanying Palestinian shepherds and farmers to fields where Israeli settlers often assault them
- Monitoring treatment of Palestinians at Israeli military checkpoints and roadblocks
- Intervening during human rights abuses and violations, including Israeli military invasions of Palestinian homes and markets
- Sharing reports and documentation with CPT's network, media contacts, governmental and human rights organizations, and consular and embassy officials
- Hosting international delegations organized by CPT, in addition to hosting groups visiting Hebron/Al-Khalil and At-Tuwani; connecting these groups with local peacemakers and organizations
- Advocating for the reduction of foreign support for the occupation, through increasing awareness of the occupation's realities and through support of the boycott, divestment, and sanction (BDS) movement
Stay Updated on Our Work
Stop the Hate Tour
Tourists who visit Hebron are likely to get more than they bargained for if they walk through the Old City on Saturday afternoon. Shoppers choosing between embroidered dresses and brightly colored kaffiyas will be surprised by dozens of soldiers, dressed for war and pointing their weapons at visitors and shopkeepers. Travelers who were hoping to purchase a falafel on their way to visit the tomb of Abraham and the historic Ibrahimi Mosque will find their way blocked as Israeli police and soldiers spread through the square at Bab al Baladiya and fill the narrow walled roads of the old city shopping district. Saturday afternoons and on religious holidays, the Settler Tour gives visitors an unexpected chance to see the occupation of the historic old city of Hebron through new eyes.
'Firing Zone' Project
CPT is involved in a campaign to save Masafer Yatta from being annexed by Israel. Masafer Yatta refers to an area of the South Hebron Hills in the West Bank which is home to 1800 people living in twelve villages. Eight of those villages (approximately 1000 people) face eviction by the Israeli government. Israel wants to use the area for military training and refers to the area as 'Firing Zone 918'. For more information on the Firing Zone project, or for information about how to get involved got to our page: Stand with Masafer Yatta
New expulsions Israeli military proposing for Jinba village residents as a "compromise."
'Al-Rajabi Building' Project
CPT is involved in a campaign to prevent settlers from re-occupying Al Rajabi Building in Hebron. Al Rajabi Building was occupied by settlers in 2007. The settlers were evicted in 2008 when the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that some of the documents of sale had been forged. When the settlers were evicted the level of settler violence increased in Hebron and throughout the West Bank.
If a settlement was to be re-established in Al Rajabi Building it would create territorial continuity between the Kiryat Arba and the Settlements in the Old City. Palestinians have been forbidden to drive on the road outside Al Rajabi Building since 2000, however when the settlers were occupying the building greater restrictions of movement were placed upon the Palestinians. History shows us that often the Israeli Defence Forces use the excuse of security to carry out house searches and increase dententions in areas where there are settlements.
For more information visit our Al Rajabi Building page
CPTnet Stories
Title | Start: | End: |
Palestine/Israel Delegation | Sun, 05/03/2015 | Sun, 05/17/2015 |
Special Multifaith Palestine Delegation | Sun, 08/02/2015 | Sun, 08/16/2015 |
Palestine/Israel Delegation | Sat, 10/17/2015 | Sat, 10/31/2015 |


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Aston Martin V8 Vantage Prices Paid and Buying Experience
Posts: 31,851
What did you pay for your Aston Martin? Tell us about it!
Prices Paid, Lease Questions, SUVs
quattro Posts: 63Hope this thread will have some healthy traffic.
The Aston is such a low volume car there is no useful publish information on what the real going price is. Hope this thread will provide some useful information.
I am thinking of getting a Vantage and wonder if anyone is getting one less that list price. The Vantage has been out for a couple of years and I know there is inventory at some if not all of the dealers.
Please share your thoughts. -
andrewjn Posts: 14The fully kitted-out new Vantage is asking between $132,000 and $135,000 in L.A.
That's with satellite navigation, remote tire pressure sensors, 7-spoke 19" wheels, colored brake calipers, 700-watt Alpine stereo, paddle-shift, auto-dimming mirror with 3 garage door openers, power folding mirrors, monotone full leather trim, 2-way heated seats, parking proximity sensors, platinum silver interior fittings, power headlight wash, integrated bluetooth phone, cruise, Lojac, battery conditioner, and bright finish grille. And piano black fascia trim.
That comes to $10,270 of extras according to Forbes Auto and Edmunds, plus the paddle-shifting and the Lojac which they don't mention but which let's conservatively say adds four grand. So the basic car is asking $117,000.
The dealer where I found mine wouldn't budge on that price, as outfitted above. It was the showroom star, and there were two customers "bidding" on it, each unwilling to wait.
The stick-shift models, they were willing to deal on. I got the feeling, a four to six grand break? Demo models, they offered me a grand off for every 800 miles on them.
But idiot that I am I just had to have the car that I had to have. The thing is, after they've got you in an Aston showroom is no time to get reasonable. I mean, if you're being reasonable, what are you doing there?
They weren't hurting - my salesman sold another one 3 days later (to a guy who'd seen mine on the street), and guesses he moves 5 a month.
So... no big hopes for breaks on new ones. They'll drop once the '08s are out. If there are any left. -
quattro Posts: 63Thanks for the info.
I'm going for the stick so I hope dealers here in San Francisco are wiling to deal.
A grand off every 800 miles on demos does not seem that good a deal.
I'm also considering a used 07 but of the ones on Ebay all have prices very close to sticker. I'm expecting 10% to 15% off sticker for one with say 2k miles. Is this reasonable? -
andrewjn Posts: 14I checked eBay April-June, and found no great deals. Remember, annual production is only 7,000, including the DB9 and the Vanquish. I expanded my search to DB7s too... but still, soon I was looking in Arizona and New Jersey. There just aren't many of them about. The UK gobbles a lot, as do the OPEC countries.
Why would someone with only 2,000 miles on his Aston want to sell it? Either it's a lemon, in which case you don't want it, it's a dealer demo (see previous post; not much discount) or you find someone who immediately over-extended himself and needs to transfer his payments to avoid defaulting. Even that person can probably do better on eBay than 15% off.
Earlier this year, some entrepreneurial folks somewhere in the midwest were ordering Vantages, then re-selling them at sticker-plus-5-percent. That's what you're dealing with. -
rich644 Posts: 12
gtbguy Posts: 6I was just at the dealer in Scottsdale and tried to trade in my Ferrari 355 for a '07 Vantage coupe with 4K miles. The dealer wanted $40,0000 (they were asking $116k for the car) and my car for thiers. I am not to familiar with the Aston Martin line so I decided to hold off a bit. I believe we probably could have worked it out to a $30,000 difference but I'l wait to get a little more educated on these cars. I've been a Ferrari guy for years and I'm just ready for a change. Any comments on this kind of car especially if you've had Ferraris before? I can really say I enjoyed driving the car, it was a hoot!
botta Posts: 1I PURCHASED A 2007 COUPE (BRAND NEW) LAST NIGHT IT LISTED FOR $127,775.00 I OFFERED $114,000.00. I PURCHASED IT FOR$114,500 BUT HE HAD TO THROUGH IN A SET OF ASTON MARTIN FLOOR MATS. HE DID. I SIGNED THE PURCHASE ORDER HE FAXED TO ME. I HOPE THIS HELPS. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS AN 07 NOT 08. THE COLOR IS MERLOT WITH SANDSTOME AND IRON ORE INTERIOR. IT'S A BEAUTY!
jkwireless Posts: 3Does anybody know the current lease residual for an '08 manual Vantage Coupe? I'm trying to decide the best term to lease and also learn if there are different (higher) money rates charged in light of the fact that this is an Aston. Do dealers offer competitive (or above normal) rates for leasing (money cost)?
If anybody has experience in a recent lease, please share. Thanks! -
myfootnotes Posts: 3I test drove an AM Vantage and fell in love with it. Have owned and driven several models Porsches, but this car screamed quality and luxury. Performance sounds like it's there, but it's only as fast as an Jaguar X K 8. No matter; still love the teutonic, but well executed purposeful interior with the feel of high end McIntosh audio equipment.
Has anyone leased the car with a creative contract for a short 24 or 30+ month closed end lease??????
I need to get it out of my system, but would hate to have to buy one outright!!! :blush: -
myfootnotes Posts: 3ASTON MARTIN OF WEST PALM BEACH IN SO. FLORIDA HAD VERY ATTRACTIVE PRICING ON LEFT OVER '07'S. BUT A-M CLAIMS MOST OWNERS OF THEIR CARS KEEP 'EM FOR EVER. IF THAT WERE SO HOW COME SO MANY ARE CREEPING UP IN THE PRE OWNED MARKET?
AND THEIR USED CAR INVENTORY WAS SMALLER THAN THEIR LEFT OVER LAST MODEL YEAR CARS IN THE GARAGE. WHAT GIVES? :confuse: -
myfootnotes Posts: 3Last year Aston Martin had a drive event on a nice dealership in West Palm Beach South Florida. The marketing was successful, and the personnel were very helpful.
The negotiations were very low key and low pressure. The price for a left over '06 was around 110,000 An '07 was fetching $114,900 for the coupe; $130,000 for the cabrio.
No lease opportunity.
Has anyone had a chance to negotiate a short term closed end lease with no balloon payment??? -
kansashick Posts: 39I got my V8 in July 2006 and paid full sticker; at that time there were some resales at above sticker. It seems that right now, cars like mine (4000 miles, all options) are going for about $90k, about 25% less than original cost.
Last year, my dealer offered me a new roadster at $10k off MSRP. He indicated that the cars were moving slowly and that Aston had allowed them to rebate the advertising allowance.
Of course, I live in the midwest and exotics are uncommon around here. This may be the reason for the prices.
I have a new Lexus LF-A on order and will keep the AM until it arrives; if ever, I have been waiting for six months for word on when it will go on sale. -
vrr1 Posts: 1has anyone purchased a vantage via ebay? there are quite a few offered at fairly cheap prices, but I've been warned (by dealers, so taken with a grain of salt) that most of the cheap cars on ebay, autotrader, etc are lemons that have been returned under a "3strike" rule where the dealers have to take them back after 3 defects are found... they then turn around to third party dealers (like "straight line auto" in dallas) who then try to sell them as fast as possible... does anyone know anything about this? thanks
kansashick Posts: 39I got bored with my coupe and my LF-A won't be here for at least a year, maybe two, so I just traded my '06 with all options in for an '07 roadster also with all the options. I got $90k for my car (4400 miles) and paid $129k for the new car ($145k MSRP). The color of the new car is not ideal, triple black.
The comment about lemons on ebay is not true, some of the sellers are AM dealers. In any case, the reason for the glut of 2007 Astons in dealers is that the factory unloaded the inventory before the change in ownership on January 1. Because of the glut, Aston has cancelled all dealer stock builds for the first quarter. Dealers are choking in cars and now is a very good time to buy. You can get a new Aston (07) for the price that used ones are being offered on ebay.
BTW, used Astons in dealer stock are very rare. Most owners are keeping their cars and, it appears, those that are not are also not very realistic regarding resale prices. -
200mph Posts: 2As for used cars: manufacturer "buyback" cars must have their title branded as such in most states, and will show up in a Carfax check. Many Aston dealers advertise their cars on ebay, autotrader, cars.com etc.
Most Aston dealers I have visited recently (CT, NY, MD, CA, NC, FL) are overstocked with new '07's and '08's built prior to closing the sale of AM from Ford to Prodrive/etc. I've seen '07 coupes with some miles (exec use or demos) as low as $98k, and dealers are diiscounting new cars as well. The most interesting color schemes were found in CT and CA. Its a great time to buy... I got a very good deal in So Cal on an '08 roadster. -
quattro Posts: 63Thought no one is allowed to use the R word
Speaking of excess inventory. Aston has come up with a factory lease program for 07 Vantage. The car I am getting a quote on MSRP at about 125k.
Lease deal is as follows:
36mth lease
1900 security deposit, 695 acquistion fee
7500 miles per year
residual 53000
I wish the residual is higher and the monthly payment lower. But considering it's an Aston it's not too bad at all. Equivalent to a approx 3.3% money rate. Better than a home equity loan plus you get the option to walk away (or not) after three years.
Where the economy stands it's nice to leave the cash in the bank.
I was going to buy one outright. Good thing I waited.
Hope to pick mine up next weekend. :blush: -
quattro Posts: 63I confirmed the numbers I posted regarding the lease as I justed picked up my Vantage yesterday.
Here are the numbers again.
0 down
1900 refundable security deposit
695 acquisition fee
1899/month for 36 month
7500 miles per year
residual 53000
Equivalent money rate is 3.3%
I think the lease program is great deal. The lease program only applies to 07 vehicles. Don't think it is available for 08. -
sglsam Posts: 1THe coupes are heavily over stocked everywhere, loads of 07 and lots of 08s big factory incentives and used ones with lo mi. available in the 90's already.Also lots of highly expereinced multi exotic owners who sold theirs quickly, finding it too small and missing the low end torque of the older big V8s and the DB7 and 9s 12 cylinder. A DB 7 Vantage is so much more car for half the price in every way. Get 420-450 hp 12 cyl. loads of wheels spin tourque, more rarity for between 60-70K with lo miles on an 03 ( last year)
wanton Posts: 3Is the company that bought Aston Martin offering leases, either with or without a balloon payment. I would like to lease one through my company, and would prefer not to buy. Who finances these? Recent prices paid? Anyone know the invoice percentage markup from the factory?
Thanks in advance.
This discussion has been closed.


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Public Events
The Convention's role is to inform and engage, so it doesn't matter if you don't understand much about devolution. The events will give you an introduction to the topics under discussion and give you an opportunity to voice your opinions.
This is your opportunity to have your say on how Wales is run in the future. Please come along - get informed and get engaged!
All events are free but pre-booking is appreciated (with the exception of the Roadshows, where you can simply turn up).
To attend one of the free events, visit our registration page (external link) or call the Events Hotline on 029 2069 4997.
Question Time
An opportunity to ask questions of a panel of people involved with the All Wales Convention and to hear their standpoints on the debate.
Discussion Groups
A two-hour session, where a representative of the All Wales Convention will initially explain the remit of the public consultation and will gather the opinions of those present. There will be an opportunity for you to speak publicly at the microphone or, if you prefer, to write your comments down on paper.
The Roadshow trailer will visit popular shopping areas during the daytime. Representatives from the All Wales Convention will be on hand to discuss the issues with you on a one-to-one basis and to listen to your viewpoint.
Parent and Toddler Groups
A chance to speak informally, on a one-to-one basis, with Representatives of the Executive Committee. Tell us about your experiences of the National Assembly for Wales and give us your take on the debate for further law-making powers.
Tea Dance and Discussion Groups
As above, a chance to speak informally with representatives of the Convention's Executive Committee and to express your views and opinions.


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Trident Xtra Care is a gum that is advertised to "strengthen and rebuild your teeth." It contains Recaldent, a (lactose-free) milk-derived product aimed to accomplish that very purpose. I've tried a couple of the minty flavors, but only recently have I seen the Cool Citrus variety in stores. I picked up a pack, which was a bit more expensive than other brands of chewing gum at $1.59 - but hopefully worth it.
The Cool Citrus flavor is pretty great. This gum is incredibly juicy and delicious, and the citrus is nice but not too strong. That said, the flavor is wonderful for only about 10-15 minutes. That's right, this gum loses its flavor in less time than it takes me to watch the new episode of The Office. What a disappointment! I go for Stride Gum 90% of the time because of its long-lasting flavor, and this only reinforces that choice.
Each piece of this gum has 3.5 calories and 1 gram of sugar alcohol. The ingredients include, sorbitol, gum base, mannitol, xylitol, glycerin, natural and artificial flavoring, and less than 2% of acesulfame potassium, aspartame, BHT, calcium casein
peptone-calcium phosphate, red 40, soy lecithin, sucralose, yellow 5, yellow 5 lake, yellow 6, and yellow 6 lake. That's a lot of artificial ingredients, but it's pretty standard for an artificially-sweetened gum.
Bottom line: this is expensive, and given that the flavor doesn't last a really long time, I'll probably skip it in the future.


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CPS won't close high schools, top performers, Byrd-Bennett says
By Lauren FitzPatrick Education Reporter email@example.com January 18, 2013 11:03AM
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett | Sun-Times files
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Updated: February 20, 2013 6:08AM
School CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett will go forward with leaving high schools open and two other of her hand-picked commission's recommendations on school closings but said Friday she's leaving a door open to further investigate the rest.
High schools, for the most part, will not be touched, nor will the highest-performing schools known as Level 1 schools, Byrd-Bennett said.
"The safety of our children is a primary concern," she said during a conference call with reporters. "For children to travel further or to put children in further danger by crossing a gang barrier does not make sense to me."
And CPS will pass over schools considered to be under capacity that are still adding grades by design.
Byrd-Bennett, new to her job this fall, successfully lobbied legislators for more time so she could listen to parents and community members before determining which schools could close in June.
Her panel also told her last week in its interim report not to touch schools recently affected by a major change, schools with more than 600 children and schools that are close to the district's definition of "efficient."
Byrd-Bennett said she'll consider each school of at least 600 students "on its own merits." She also plans to take more time to see how to bolster schools that are close to being efficient, and how to define "significant school action" before ruling out any other schools.
The schools chief reserved the right to take action in a possible "one or two" high schools and some high-performing schools that are falling down or in buildings that are too expensive to repair.
CPS will release a list of schools that could be subject to closing on Feb. 13. Another series of public hearings starts Jan. 28. The district has until March 31 to report to the state the final list of schools it intends to close. It considers some 136 schools of its 681 buildings to be more than half-empty.
Facing a $1 billion deficit, Byrd-Bennett wants to "right-size" a portfolio of schools she says has 100,000 fewer students than seats than students.
Critics of the closings say that the costs of shuttering buildings wipes out savings of no longer running them.
"There's nothing in the commission's recommendations that talk about what other ways could CPS save more money than the admittedly small amount they'll save closing schools," said Jitu Brown, from the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. "They don't talk about relocating students eats up lots of the savings they're talking about."
The Chicago Teachers Union has been calling in vain for a moratorium on all school actions for at least two years to give the district time to study the impact of school closings on displaced students and to come up with a long-term facilities plan.
They announced Friday plans to hold workshops Saturday morning across the city to teach parents how to keep individual schools open.
"CPS has more than 100 schools — our schools — on the chopping block," CTU President Karen Lewis said in a statement. "We're going into these neighborhoods and uniting with our brothers and sisters to help them fight for the schools and the quality education they deserve."